October pricing reports from the Department of Labor last week reported the Consumer Price Index had gained three tenths of a percent in October after a 2 tenths rise the previous month. The gain was slightly more than analysts projections.

Core prices were about where the Federal Reserve had expected but food and energy prices had gone up more than expected. Increases in energy prices were led by a 1.5 percent jump in the price of gas. Despite the October gains, prices are still down slightly from last year.

The Commerce Department also reported that housing starts stumbled in October, by more than 10.5 percent. New building permits were also down, by more than 4 percent.