Builder confidence rises slightly

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Builder confidence in the U.S. market for newly built, single-family homes rose slightly in December, a national housing market index indicated.

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index gained for the third consecutive month, adding 2 points to reach 21, the trade group said.

The index remains in a long-term slump, but reached the highest point since May 2010.

The break-even point on the index is 50 points. Above 50 indicates more builders in the survey indicated they viewed business conditions as favorable than unfavorable.