RSS Feed by Calculated Risk on 6/18/2012 10:00:00 AM
Monday, June 18, 2012
NAHB Builder Confidence increases slightly in June, Highest since May 2007
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports the housing market index (HMI) increased 1 point in June to 29 (May was revised down to 28, so this was unchanged). Any number under 50 indicates that more builders view sales conditions as poor than good.
From the NAHB: Builder Confidence Rises One Point in June
Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes gained one point in June from a slightly revised level in the previous month to rest at 29 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today. This is the highest level the index has attained since May of 2007.
“While the June HMI is in keeping with our forecast for gradually improving single-family home sales this year, recent economic reports that have shown some weakening in the pace of recovery likely factored into the marginal gain,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “In addition, builders across the country continue to report that overly tight lending conditions and inaccurate appraisals are major obstacles to completing sales at this time.”
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In June, the HMI component measuring current sales conditions rose two points to 32, which is its highest level since April of 2007. Meanwhile, the components measuring sales expectations in the next six months and traffic of prospective buyers held unchanged at 34 and 23, respectively.
Regionally, the HMI results were mixed in June, with two areas of the country posting gains and two posting declines. The Midwest registered a five-point gain to 31 and the West registered a four-point gain to 33, while the Northeast and South each posted two-point declines, to 29 and 26, respectively.
Click on graph for larger image.This graph compares the NAHB HMI (left scale) with single family housing starts (right scale). This includes the June release for the HMI and the April data for starts (May housing starts will be released tomorrow). A reading of 29 was at the consensus.
