Washington ? The economy is closing out the year much as it began: The housing industry posted another strong construction gain in November while U.S. factories struggled to show a tiny increase after three months of weakness.

But another report says inflation’s no-show may allow the Federal Reserve, whose interest rate cuts have fueled both the housing and auto booms, to cut rates further. Consumer prices rose just 0.1 percent last month as a big drop in energy costs helped offset a sharp rise in medical costs.

The flurry of reports suggested that the economy may be finding its way through what Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has termed a soft patch.

Construction of new homes and apartments rose by 2.4 percent in November as the lowest mortgage rates since the mid-1960s continued to bolster the housing industry, on track for its best new construction year since 1986.