Pending Sales of U.S. Existing Homes Probably Fell in June

The number of contracts to buy previously owned U.S. homes probably fell in June for a second time in three months, a sign the housing market is straining to regain its footing two years into the expansion, economists said before a report today.

A 2 percent decrease is projected after an 8.2 percent gain the prior month, according to the median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey of economists before the National Association of Realtors report. Separate figures may show jobless claims fell last week.