| Consensus | Consensus Range | Actual | Previous | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20-City Adjusted - M/M | 0.4% | 0.2% to 0.5% | 0.4% | 0.5% |
| 20-City Unadjusted - M/M | 0.2% | 0.1% to 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.1% |
| 20-City Unadjusted - Y/Y | 4.7% | 4.5% to 4.8% | 4.5% | 4.7% |
Highlights
S&P Case-Shiller's latest report shows house price inflation eases slightly to 4.5 percent in February on an annual basis for the 20-city measure, and slightly below Econoday consensus expectations for 4.7 percent. In January, prices rose 4.7 percent from a year earlier.
The 20-city index rises 0.4 percent on the month in February from January, seasonally adjusted, in line with expectations. The unadjusted month on month figure shows an increase of 0.7 percent.
Meanwhile, the Case-Shiller national index, covering all nine U.S. census divisions, sees a 3.9 percent rise in February from a year ago versus the 4.1 percent rise for January.
Among the 20 cities, New York sees the highest annual increase with a 7.7 percent jump in February, followed by Chicago and Cleveland with annual increases of 7.0 percent and 6.6 percent, respectively. Tampa is the weakest with a decline of 1.5 percent.
The 20-city index rises 0.4 percent on the month in February from January, seasonally adjusted, in line with expectations. The unadjusted month on month figure shows an increase of 0.7 percent.
Meanwhile, the Case-Shiller national index, covering all nine U.S. census divisions, sees a 3.9 percent rise in February from a year ago versus the 4.1 percent rise for January.
Among the 20 cities, New York sees the highest annual increase with a 7.7 percent jump in February, followed by Chicago and Cleveland with annual increases of 7.0 percent and 6.6 percent, respectively. Tampa is the weakest with a decline of 1.5 percent.
Definition
The S&P Corelogic Case-Shiller home price index tracks monthly changes in the value of residential real estate in 20 metropolitan regions across the nation. Composite indexes and regional indexes measure changes in existing home prices and are based on single-family home resales. Condominiums and co-ops are excluded as is new construction. Note that forecasters, in line with recommendations from Standard & Poor's questioning the accuracy of seasonal adjustments, track both seasonally adjusted and not seasonally adjusted monthly data for this indicator.
Description
Home values affect much in the economy - especially the housing and consumer sectors. Periods of rising home values encourage new construction while periods of soft home prices can dampen housing starts. Changes in home values, and the ability to draw upon expanding lines of home equity loans, play key roles in consumer spending and in consumer financial health.
Beginning with the onset of the subprime credit crunch in mid-2007 and with it a downturn in home prices, the ability of borrowers to refinance their debt into affordable fixed rate mortgages was sharply constrained. This in turn limited aggregate consumer spending and contributed to the depth of the Great Recession. From their peak in late 2006 and early 2007 to their nadir in mid-2012, Case-Shiller's home price indexes fell nearly 50 percent. The subsequent recovery proved slow but steady with the indexes finally surpassing their prior highs in early 2018.
Beginning with the onset of the subprime credit crunch in mid-2007 and with it a downturn in home prices, the ability of borrowers to refinance their debt into affordable fixed rate mortgages was sharply constrained. This in turn limited aggregate consumer spending and contributed to the depth of the Great Recession. From their peak in late 2006 and early 2007 to their nadir in mid-2012, Case-Shiller's home price indexes fell nearly 50 percent. The subsequent recovery proved slow but steady with the indexes finally surpassing their prior highs in early 2018.
