robert goldsborough at morninstar watches an exchange-traded fund of housing-related companies called spdr s&p homebuilders. "it has risen very well for the past year, plus. i think the homebuilding space is a good place to be for some time to come." but the speed of the housing recovery is still open for debate. "if banks can make more money with loans, it will become a source of growth. if rates went up, they'd have more money to lend to borrowers." as for a sign of future demand, requests for building permits for single-family homes rose 1.3%, the highest level since may of 2008. the head of the national security agency delivers details in secret today to a congressional committee about exactly how the agency stopped a plot to blow up the new york stock exchange. yesterday, on capitol hill, general keith alexandar revealed how his agency has worked to foil terrorist plans by using survillience. "these programs, together with other intelligence, have protected the u.s. and our allies from terrorist threats across the globe, including helping prevent potential terrorist attacks over