S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index
The S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index for October saw a rise of +.4% vs. the prior month, a larger than expected increase. Looking back at September’s monthly growth, we have a positive revision to +.7% from the previously reported +.3%. However, if we look year-over-year, the rate has still declined to +5.0% from a previous +5.2%. This now marks the seventh month in a row where the annual rate is down from the peak of +6.8% back in March. Diving into the report, 18 of 20 cities saw price increases, with Las Vegas (+.8%) leading the charge. The two declining cities in October were San Francisco (-.6%) and Seattle (-.3%).
Pending Home Sales
The NAR’s pending home sales index for November decreased 0.7% vs. the prior month. Economists forecasted an increase in the index of 0.7%, a sizeable miss. The index is down 7.7% year-over-year. Activity in the Northeast and West saw increases in their respective regions, while the Midwest and South are down over 2% month-over-month. This index is a leading indicator of housing activity, which shows further weakness in US housing.
Conference Board Consumer Confidence
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence index, which measures consumer confidence based on 5,000 households, came in weaker than expected at 128.1 vs. 133.5, adding fear of economic slowdown. The October reading of 137.9 was the highest since 2000. December’s index is elevated, but the index has fallen from October’s highs the past two months, leading to more concerns of an economic slowdown.
