US home‑price growth slows 1.2pc in January

(Sharecast News) - The S&P/Case‑Shiller 20‑city composite home price index rose 1.2% year‑on‑year in January, easing from December's 1.4% annual gain and undershooting expectations for a flat reading, pointing to a slower‑than‑expected pace of appreciation across major US metropolitan areas. Monthly data showed a 0.1% decline on an unadjusted basis, according to the latest release, reinforcing signs that single‑family home prices may be losing momentum amid softer demand and elevated borrowing costs.

The broader backdrop also reflected mixed conditions across the housing market, with average US house prices slipping to $499,500 in January, down from $530,900 in December, and building permits falling 4.7% month‑on‑month, almost fully unwinding the prior month's 4.8% increase and suggesting a cooling environment heading into the spring selling season.













Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com