New Home Sales Rise in August by Largest Amount in 5 Months ' \& t4 `4 }* g/ \/ S' y
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" [1 O. Z; O2 l4 u- G6 |WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sales of new homes posted the biggest increase in five months in August, raising hopes that the steep slide in the housing industry may be leveling off.$ {( t4 S9 g2 x; n$ q
Sales of new single-family homes increased by 4.1 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.05 million units, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. It was the biggest increase since an 8 percent gain in March.