US RATE FUTURES-Fed rate rise ideas boosted by home sales

CHICAGO, July 25 (Reuters) - U.S. short-term interest rate futures fell on Friday after June new home sales were reported stronger than expected, raising the implied chances for Federal Reserve rate increases in the next few months.

Prospects for the Fed to increase benchmark lending rates in September rose as high as 54 percent from 44 percent late on Thursday, extending the move seen earlier after the June durable goods report.

The implied year-end funds rate rose to 2.34 percent from 2.28 percent.

June single-family home sales were at a 530,000-unit annualized rate, above the consensus estimate of 500,000. (Reporting by Ros Krasny; Editing by Theodore d'Afflisio)