US house price inflation slows to two-year low, S&P data shows

(Sharecast News) - House price inflation across 20 major cities in the United States slowed to its lowest level in two years in June, according to figures out on Tuesday from S&P. The closely watched S&P Cotality Case-Shiller 20-city composite index showed house prices were up 2.1% on last year in June, down from the 2.8% increase registered in June.

The growth rate was slightly below the 2.2% expected by economists and the weakest since July 2023.

Across the country as a whole, the national home price index showed growth of 1.9% in June, down from 2.3% in May and also a two-year low. This was the first time in "years" that house price inflation failed to keep pace with the broader consumer price inflation rate (2.7% in June), S&P said.

"This reversal is historically significant," said Nicholas Godec, head of fixed income tradables and commodities at S&P Dow Jones Indices.

"During the pandemic surge, home values were climbing at double-digit annual rates that far exceeded inflation, building substantial real wealth for homeowners. Now, American housing wealth has actually declined in inflation-adjusted terms over the past year - a notable erosion that reflects the market's new equilibrium."

Godec also said the June's modest increase in prices over the past 12 months masks "significant volatility": prices actually fell 0.6% over the first six months, followed by a 2.5% surge over the latter six months.