Although the 2018 U.S. stock market had its worst losses in a decade, employers added 2.64 million jobs in 2018 – the best year since 2015 – as well as 312,000 jobs during December. In addition, average hourly earnings increased 3.2 percent, matching the October 2018 percentage that marked a nearly ten year high. The unemployment rate rose to 3.9 percent from 3.7 percent but is still historically low. These combined events give the impression of an economy that remains ultimately optimistic but is also recalibrating.

In the Charlotte region, for the week ending January 5:

• New Listings decreased 6.5% year-over-year to 723
• Pending Sales increased 2.1% year-over-year to 625
• Inventory decreased 3.5% year-over-year to 8,929