-
S&P/Case-Shiller Index shows some improvement
The S&P/Case-Shiller Index, a leading indicator of U.S. housing prices, showed a 0.9% rise in home prices in July 2011 compared with the previous month for both its 10- and 20-city composites. This is the fourth consecutive month of increases for both indices.
In July 2011, the 10- and 20-City Composites recorded annual returns of -3.7% and -4.1%, respectively.
-
S&P outlook improves for home builders
Credit ratings service Standard & Poor's (S&P) delivered a guarded but upbeat assessment of U.S. home builders, reporting that “operating conditions … have improved over the past six months, and the sector's overall credit quality has steadied as a result.” The new report cites a “cautiously stable” outlook for the sector overall, but warns that that trend could backpedal later this year if the baseline residential construction forecast doesn't materialize.
