New Housing Starts Rise 5% in May

.S. new housing starts jumped 5% in May, rebounding from a 13-month low, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday.

Housing starts climbed to a 1.957 million unit annual rate, up from April's 1.863 million.

The level exceeded economists’ forecast of a 1.869 million pace, Bloomberg reported.

ncreased construction can mean more business for flatbed trucking companies that haul building materials. In home construction, dry van freight can see demand increases in for delivery of household appliances and furniture.

Housing starts increased in three of four national regions, Commerce said, rising in the Northeast, South and West, while falling in the Midwest.