The Commerce Department reported that housing construction rose by 3 percent in October, the first increase after three months of declines and the biggest advance since a 6 percent rise last February. Applications for building permits fell for the fifth straight month in October. According to the eighth annual holiday-spending survey by the Consumer Federation of America and the Credit Union National Association, the highest percentage of consumers in eight years says they will ease back on holiday shopping this year, with many Americans citing rising gas and home-heating costs, plus gift prices, as top reasons for their stricter budgeting. H&R Block Inc. (HRB) replaced Mark Ernst as chairman and chief executive officer after a yearlong effort to sell its money-losing subprime home lending unit neared collapse. Richard Breeden, the former chairman of the SEC who won a proxy fight to get on the company's board, was named chairman. In Forex News Today Despite calls from Iran and...