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Australia new homes sales rise 3.1 pct in Jan-HIA
Sales of new homes in Australia rose for a second straight month in January in a positive omen for employment and consumption, an industry survey showed on Wednesday. The Housing Industry Association (HIA) said its survey of large-volume builders showed sales of new homes rose a seasonally adjusted 3.1 percent in January, from December when they had jumped 6.0 percent. Sales of detached homes increased by 5.8 percent, while multi-unit sales fell by the same amount. "This year will be another healthy one for detached house and multi-unit construction, but we won't surpass the heights of 2015," said HIA chief economist, ... (full story)