US New Home Sales Rise a Surprisingly Strong 16.6 Percent in May

US New Home Sales Rise a Surprisingly Strong 16.6 Percent in May
A sign "For Sale" is displayed in front of a House in Washington on April 24, 2020. Eric Baradat/AFP/Getty Images
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WASHINGTON—Sales of new homes rose a surprisingly strong 16.6 percent in May with the reopening of major parts of the country potentially fueling activity in the housing market.

The Commerce Department reported on June 23 that sales of new single-family homes rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 676,000 last month.