Builder sentiment inched up in October, the National Association of Home Builders said.

One week after hitting the highest level in more than a year, initial jobless claims retreated by 19,000 to 241,000, the Labor Department said Thursday.  

“We remain confident in the long-term earnings potential of our diverse businesses as we navigate a dynamic operating environment and unprecedented challenges in the Medicaid business,” Chief Executive Gail K. Boudreaux said in prepared remarks.