Construction spending during September was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,329.5 billion, nearly the same as the revised August estimate of $1,328.8 billion, the Census Bureau announced. The September figure is 7.2% above the September 2017 estimate of $1,240.4 billion. During the first nine months of this year, construction spending amounted to $982.9 billion, 5.5% above the $931.3 billion for the same period in 2017.

In the week ending October 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims for unemployment insurance was 214,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week’s revised level of 216,000, the Labor Department reported. The four-week moving average was 213,750, an increase of 1,750 from the previous week’s revised average of 212,000.

The average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 4.83%, down from 4.86% one week ago, according to Freddie Mac. The average interest rate for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage is 4.23%, down from 4.29%.

Thursday, the Dow gained 264.98 points (1.06%) to finish at 25,830.74, the NASDAQ closed 128.16 points (1.75%) higher at 7,434.06, and the S&P 500 was up 28.63 points (1.06%) at 2,740.37. The Russell 2000 increased 33.57 points (2.22%) to 1,544.98, and the Wilshire 5000 climbed 352.17 points (1.26%) to 28,333.06.

The price of the 10-year Treasury note was up 1/32, decreasing its yield to 3.140%. The price of the 30-year Treasury bond increased 6/32, bringing its yield down to 3.379%.

ON THIS DATE: In 1776, during the American Revolutionary War, William Demont, became the first traitor of the American Revolution when he deserted. In 1783, General George Washington gave his “Farewell Address to the Army” near Princeton, New Jersey. In 1867, “Harpers Bazaar” magazine was founded. In 1889, North Dakota and South Dakota were admitted into the union as the 39th and 40th states. In 1920, the first commercial radio station in the U.S., KDKA of Pittsburgh, began regular broadcasting. In 1948, Harry S. Truman defeated Thomas E. Dewey for the U.S. presidency. The Chicago Tribune published an early edition that had the headline “DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN.” The Truman victory surprised many polls and newspapers. In 1962, President John Kennedy announced that the U.S.S.R. was dismantling the missile sites in Cuba. In 1966, the Cuban Adjustment Act allowed 123,000 Cubans to apply for permanent residence in the U.S. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill establishing a federal holiday on the third Monday of January in honor of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 1992, Magic Johnson retired from the NBA again, this time for good because of fear due to his HIV infection. In 1993, Christie Todd Whitman was elected the first woman governor of New Jersey. In 2001, the computer-animated movie “Monsters, Inc.” opened. The film recorded the best debut ever for an animated film and the 6th best of all time. In 2003, in the U.S., the Episcopal Church diocese consecrated the church’s first openly gay bishop.

And now it’s time for FRIDAY FILES!

In Bristol, England, a woman says she has had intimate relations with at least 20 ghosts since she was a teenager but wasn’t looking for a new relationship when she went to Australia on a business trip. However, she says that changed on a nature hike when she came into contact with an apparition and felt sparks like none she’s ever known, the Huffington Post reports. The woman didn’t think it could amount to anything serious because she says spirits tend to stay in one place, but something amazing happened on her flight home: She felt the presence of her new love on the plane, going home with her. That was nine months ago, and she recently told the British show “ITV This Morning” that her new love has proposed. The couple plans to do a Pagan “handfasting” ceremony, in which their hands are tied together, symbolizing their connection.

In Mobile, Alabama, a woman planning to be a zombie for a Halloween party bought fake teeth for her costume. The teeth attached to her regular teeth with an adhesive. However, when she tried to remove them, she found she couldn’t. She tried many things to get the fake teeth out, but to no avail, according to McClatchy News. Finally, she went to a dentist who had to cut it in sections and pull it off.

In Chicago, Illinois, after a flight from Kansas City landed at O’Hare airport, a baggage handler was found in a heated and pressurized cargo hold. He told police he was drunk when he fell asleep in there. According to the Associated Press, no charges were filed, and he was sent back to Kansas City.

Hope everyone has a happy weekend!