Eye On Housing
Author Archives
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Homeownership Rate Bottoming Out?
According to the Census Bureau’s Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS), the U.S. homeownership rate was 63.5% on a seasonally adjusted basis in the fourth quarter of 2016, a small increase from the third quarter of 63.4%. This is the second consecutive increase, following a 50-year low of 63.1% in the second quarter of 2016. Homeownership rates increase with age, rising from… Read More ›
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Who is (Not) in the Labor Force
The number of people not in the labor force has been growing. As of December 2016, 95.1 million people, aged 16 or older, were not in the labor force, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). An aging population is responsible for this growth, but what are the other reasons individuals cite for not being in the… Read More ›
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Consumer Price Index Rose in December
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose in December. Both headline inflation and core inflation rose. The CPI rose at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.4% in December, following a 2.4% increase in November. Excluding the volatile food and energy components, “core” CPI increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 2.8%, faster… Read More ›
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Consumer Confidence in December – The Highest Level Since the Recession
Consumer confidence increased in December to the highest level since August 2001. Assessments of current conditions declined but consumers held improved views of the near future. The Consumer Confidence Index, reported by the Conference Board, hit 113.7 in December, higher than an upwardly revised 109.4 in November. The present situation index declined from 132.0 to 126.1 and the expectations index… Read More ›
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Home Price Gains Continued in October
The Case-Shiller (CS) National Home Price Index, released by S&P Dow Jones Indices, continued to rise in October. The CS Home Price Index rose at a seasonally adjusted annual growth rate of 10.7%, up from 10.1% last month. Due to tight inventory and high demand, house prices have accelerated since May and reached the pre-recession peak of 2006. Along with… Read More ›
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Moderate Rise for CPI in November
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose in November and the pace of headline consumer inflation slowed in November from 4.37% to 2.43%. The CPI rose at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 2.43%, slowing from 4.37% in October. Excluding the volatile food and energy components, “core” CPI rose at a seasonally adjusted… Read More ›
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Consumer Confidence – Optimistic November
With the ongoing job and economic growth, in November consumer confidence improved. Consumers were optimistic about both the current situation and the near term outlook. The Conference Board reported that the Consumer Confidence Index jumped to 107.1 in November, from an upwardly revised 100.8 in October. Both the present situation index and the expectations index rebounded. The present situation index… Read More ›
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Home Prices Jumped in September
The Case-Shiller (CS) National Home Price Index, reported by S&P Dow Jones Indices, jumped in September. The CS Home Price Index rose at a seasonally adjusted annual growth rate of 10.4%, the fastest in the past 36 months. After the deceleration in the beginning of 2016, house prices have accelerated since May due to tight inventory and high demand, reaching… Read More ›
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Consumer Price Index Rose in October
The Consumer Price Index (CPI), released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), rose in October. Both headline inflation and core inflation increased. The CPI rose at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.4%, faster than the two previous increases (2.5% in August and 3.6% in September). Excluding the volatile food and energy components, “core” CPI rose at a seasonally… Read More ›
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Consumer Confidence in October – Retreated
Consumer confidence retreated in October. Consumers were less optimistic about both the current situation and the near term outlook. The Consumer Confidence Index, reported by the Conference Board, decreased to 98.6, from 103.5 in September. Both the present situation and the expectations index dropped. The present situation index fell to 120.6, from 127.9 and the expectations index declined to 83.9,… Read More ›