SPY & Building Permits
The number of permits issued for new privately-owned housing units, a leading indicator for future construction activity.
SPY Price
Building Permits
Year-over-Year Change
What It Measures
Building Permits measures the number of permits issued by local authorities for new residential construction. A permit is required before construction can begin in most jurisdictions. The data covers: - **Single-family permits**: For detached homes and townhouses - **Multi-family permits**: For buildings with 2+ units - **Geographic detail**: Available by region and metropolitan area Data is reported as a Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR).
Why It Matters
**Leading Indicator**: Building permits lead housing starts by 1-2 months, making them useful for forecasting construction activity. **Builder Confidence**: Permit applications reflect homebuilders' expectations for future demand. **Local Economic Health**: Permits indicate investment confidence and expected population/job growth in an area. **Regulatory Environment**: Changes in permit activity can also reflect zoning and regulatory changes.
Key Levels
Data Sources
SPY: S&P 500 ETF daily OHLCV data (1993-02-02 to 2026-02-13)
Building Permits: PERMIT - Building Permits from U.S. Census Bureau
Units: Thousands of Units, Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate, Monthly