The latest nesw of housing and jobs-world market size

Housing: Sales of existing home sales fell 5.1% in June from May levels, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors released Thursday. But the drop was smaller than expected. Sales rose nearly 10% from a year earlier.

Jobs: The House voted to extend jobless claims benefits until November, ending a seven-week old debate between lawmakers that saw federal benefits for the long-term unemployed run out. President Obama is expected to sign the extension shortly.

Earlier, the Department of Labor reported that the number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment rose to 464,000 last week from a two-year low of 427,000 in the prior week. Economists surveyed by Briefing.com thought claims would rise to 445,000.

Continuing claims, a measure of Americans who have been receiving benefits for a week or more, fell to 4,487,000 from 4,710,000 in the previous week. Economists surveyed by Briefing.com expected 4,600,000.

Deals: General Motors said it will buy auto financing firm AmeriCredit (ACP) in a $3.5 billion all-cash deal. The deal gives GM a lending unit after selling its majority stake in GMAC in 2006. The deal was also seen as a key step as GM prepares its initial public offering for later this year, after the government restructured it in bankruptcy. AmeriCredit shares jumped 23%.

Dell: Computer maker Dell (DELL, Fortune 500) agreed to pay $100 million to settle fraud charges with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Chairman Michael Dell and former CEO Kevin Rollins will pay $4 million each. Dell shares finished 2.5% higher.

Leading indicators: The index of leading economic indicators fell 0.2% in June, the Conference Board reported, after rising 0.5% in May. Economists expected the index to have fallen 0.4%.

World markets: European markets rose, with Britain’s FTSE 100 up 1.9%, Germany’s DAX up 2.5% and France’s CAC 40 up 3%.

Asian markets ended mixed. Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.6%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 1.1% and the Shanghai Composite gained 0.3%.

Currencies: The euro gained versus the dollar. The dollar rose versus the Japanese yen.