US housing starts 1126K vs. 1160 est. Prior month revised lower to 1161K vs. 1206K

Building permits 1170K vs. 1159K est.

The August US housing starts came in lower than estimate at 1126K vs estimate of 1160K. The prior month was revised lower to 1161K vs 1206K.

Building permits were higher than estimate at 1170K vs 1159K est.

The northest region led the decline in starts with a 33.7% slump. There have been proposed tax changed that have been an influence on that region in recent months and likely led to distortions in the data.

The EURUSD moved a touch lower after the US data release (claims were lower at 264K vs 275K estimate), but is rebounding modestly higher.