Homebuilder sentiment dropped in December to the lowest point in more than three years as potential buyers delayed purchasing new homes, giving rise to concerns over affordability. The key measure of the sentiment retreated four points in December to 56, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index.

Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams said Friday that the Fed is open to reconsidering its views on rate hikes next year, according to media reports.

Williams told CNBC that "there are risks to that outlook that maybe the economy will slow further."

He added that the central bank officials will listen to not only markets but everybody they talk to, look at all the data and be ready to reassess and re-evaluate their views.

The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised short-term interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, but signaled a slower pace of rate hikes next year as the U.S. economy is expected to cool down.

"In view of realized and expected labor market conditions and inflation, the (Federal Open Market) Committee decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 percent," the Fed said in a statement after concluding a two-day policy meeting.

It marked the Fed's fourth rate hike this year and the ninth such move since late 2017, as the central bank moves forward on the path of monetary policy normalization.

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