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US New single-family houses sales fell -13.4% in July

NEW RESIDENTIAL SALES IN JULY 2013
Sales of new single-family houses in July 2013 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 394,000, according to
estimates released jointly today by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
This is 13.4 percent (±14.5%)* below the revised June rate of 455,000, but is 6.8 percent (±18.6%)* above the July 2012
estimate of 369,000.
The median sales price of new houses sold in July 2013 was $257,200; the average sales price was $322,700. The
seasonally adjusted estimate of new houses for sale at the end of July was 171,000. This represents a supply of 5.2 months at the current sales rate.

Source: US Census Bureau

FDI increased in China last month

Investment inflows into China quickened in July, the government said on Friday, suggesting foreign firms' confidence in the world's No.2 economy is holding up despite slowing growth.

China drew $71.4 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI)in the first seven months of 2013, up 7.1 percent from the same period of 2012, the Commerce Ministry said.

In July alone, China attracted $9.4 billion in FDI, up 24.1 percent from a year ago, quickening from the 20.1 percent pace in June, the fastest in more than two years, although the amount was lower than June's $14.4 billion.

The ministry said FDI inflows into the manufacturing sector in the first seven months fell 2.4 pct from a year earlier, while investment in the service sector rose 15.8 pct.

China aims to lure more FDI in advanced manufacturing to help move its industry make more sophisticated, high-value products.

Source:  Reuters