US DATA: Sept existing-home sales -1.7% to 4.75 mln rate (4.74 mln
expected; Aug revised up slightly), with Sept 11.0% above yr earlier,
and inventories fall to 5.9 mos supply, lowest since Mar’09. Nat’l
median price $183,900 +11.3% up from yr earlier. Sales up half point in
South, down elsewhere. Natl Assoc of Realtors econ says inventories
should fall more in winter months, perhaps down to 5 mos supply. Sees
continuing recovery with inventories down, price increases
accelerating, and he’s sticking with 4.64 mln sales forecast for all of
2012, the best in five years.