Existing home sales end 2025 with a strong beat, as prices ease further

Summary

CNBC's Rick Santelli and Diana Olick review the latest US economic data. Business inventories rose 0.3% in October and November, which Santelli says contributes to a likely strong fourth-quarter GDP. Diana Olick reports that December existing home sales rose 5.1% to a 4.35 million annualized rate, beating expectations, while inventory stayed lean and median price growth slowed.

• Business inventories increased 0.3% in October and November, tied for the second-highest 2025 builds.
• Rick Santelli says inventory accumulation adds to GDP and fourth-quarter GDP is already expected to be large.
• December existing home sales rose 5.1% month over month to a 4.35 million annualized rate, beating the Street's 2% estimate.
• Sales were up 1.4% year over year and reflected contracts likely signed in October and November.
• The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate hovered around 6.2%-6.3%, down from near 7% in the spring and early summer.
• Housing inventory was 1.18 million units, down 18% month over month but up 3.5% year over year, leaving 3.3 months of supply.
• The median sale price rose 0.4% year over year to $405,400, and high-end sales remained more robust.
• No named security or actionable trade recommendation was provided in the segment.