READY BUT NERVOUS: Confidence among U.S. homebuilders steadied in January versus December, according to a survey of 402 builders. But builders are feeling slightly less confident about their prospects for sales over the next six months.

HIGH HOPES: The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index held steady at 47 this month. That’s the highest reading since April 2006 just before the housing bubble burst.

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WHAT’S IT MEAN: Readings below 50 suggest negative sentiment about the housing market. The last time the index was at or above that level was in April 2006 with a reading of 51.