The S&P Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index is a monthly measure of home prices that covers all nine census divisions and has been collecting data for more than 30 years. According to the most recent release, which covers results through the end of March, home price increases have continued to slow across the country. Nationally, prices were up just 0.7 percent through March from year-before levels – down from an 0.8 percent increase the month before. Nicholas Godec, head of fixed income tradables & commodities at S&P Dow Jones Indices, says national numbers mask stark differences between regions. “The geographic divergence remains stark,” Godec said. “Midwest and Northeast markets are sustaining modest growth, while much of the Sun Belt and Western regions are still seeing declines. Chicago led all cities with a 6.1 percent annual gain, followed by New York (4.0 percent), and Cleveland (3.0 percent).” (source)
