U.S. core consumer inflation touched a record low in October, and new home building sagged. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.2 percent last month after edging up 0.1 percent in September, the Labor Department said.

A separate report from the Commerce Department shows construction of new housing plummeted more than 11 percent, to 519 thousand units, which is the lowest annual rate since April 2009.

Analysts say the data highlight the downside risks to the world's largest economy, and indicate why the Fed sees the need to ease monetary policies further. They add data outside the housing market so far suggests the economy found some strength at the start of the fourth quarter. And of course, investors in the U.S. are keeping a wary eye on developments in Ireland.

People's Daily