US DATA: Dec housing starts -4.3% to 529k, below 550k expected and
following very modest downward revisions in the prev two months. Permits
+16.7% to 635k, but Commerce noted changes to building codes to take
effect in Jan in Northeast and West inflated permits in those areas in
Dec. Completions +4.1% to 585k. For 2010, housing starts +6.1% to 588k,
permits +2.6% to 598k, but completions -17.7% to 654k.