US: Existing home sales likely to have retrenched - RBS


Research Team at RBS, notes that the US existing homes sales showed good momentum in the first half of the year, climbing to a seasonally adjusted annualized level of 5.57 million units in June, the best reading since February 2007.

Key Quotes

“Sustained declines in mortgage rates combined with decent job gains have aided resales. The pending home sales index (which tracks contract signings and thus typically leads contract closings/resales by a month or two) jumped to a decade-high in April. In the last two months, however, the pending home sales index has cooled, suggesting at least a temporary pause in the growth of existing home sales. Thus, in July, we look for existing home sales to have retrenched somewhat, slipping perhaps to an annualized level of 5.43 million units.

On the supply side, inventories have failed to show any meaningful improvement. End-of-period inventories jumped from 1.96 million units in March to 2.12 million in April but have barely budged since then. The June level of homes available for sale was 2.12 million units, which translated into only 4.6 months of supply at the June selling rate, well below the 6 months typically associated with a market in equilibrium

The National Association of Realtors noted again last month that, “Until inventory conditions markedly improve, far too many prospective buyers are likely to run into situations of either being priced out of the market or outbid on the very few properties available for sale.” In this way, the lack of supply may continue to work against the pickup in demand associated with lower mortgage rates.”

Share: Feed news

Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

Recommended content


Recommended content

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD regains traction, recovers above 1.0700

EUR/USD regains traction, recovers above 1.0700

EUR/USD regained its traction and turned positive on the day above 1.0700 in the American session. The US Dollar struggles to preserve its strength after the data from the US showed that the economy grew at a softer pace than expected in Q1.

EUR/USD News

GBP/USD returns to 1.2500 area in volatile session

GBP/USD returns to 1.2500 area in volatile session

GBP/USD reversed its direction and recovered to 1.2500 after falling to the 1.2450 area earlier in the day. Although markets remain risk-averse, the US Dollar struggles to find demand following the disappointing GDP data.

GBP/USD News

Gold holds around $2,330 after dismal US data

Gold holds around $2,330 after dismal US data

Gold fell below $2,320 in the early American session as US yields shot higher after the data showed a significant increase in the US GDP price deflator in Q1. With safe-haven flows dominating the markets, however, XAU/USD reversed its direction and rose above $2,340.

Gold News

XRP extends its decline, crypto experts comment on Ripple stablecoin and benefits for XRP Ledger

XRP extends its decline, crypto experts comment on Ripple stablecoin and benefits for XRP Ledger

Ripple extends decline to $0.52 on Thursday, wipes out weekly gains. Crypto expert asks Ripple CTO how the stablecoin will benefit the XRP Ledger and native token XRP. 

Read more

After the US close, it’s the Tokyo CPI

After the US close, it’s the Tokyo CPI

After the US close, it’s the Tokyo CPI, a reliable indicator of the national number and then the BoJ policy announcement. Tokyo CPI ex food and energy in Japan was a rise to 2.90% in March from 2.50%.

Read more

Forex MAJORS

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures