Purchases of new homes in the U.S. probably rose in January to a nine-month high, more evidence the housing market is improving, economists said before a report today. Sales, tabulated when contracts are signed, climbed 2.6 percent to a 315,000 annual pace, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey of 77 economists. Consumer confidence declined in February from a month earlier, separate data may show. Beazer Homes USA Inc. (BZH) and D.R. Horton Inc. (DHI) are among builders benefiting from job gains as well as cheaper properties and lower mortgage rates that have driven affordability to a record ... (full story)