Recent Updates

  • Japan: ** Japan IP forecasts have rebased from 2010=100 to 2015=100. We are currently working on processing the new data.**
  • ** New Zealand Jobs Online has changed its reported frequency from monthly to quarterly and rebased from August 2010=100 to Q4 2010=100. **
  • Australia: PPI, Manufacturing Price, Construction Materials Prices (Mar); New Zealand: Trade by Country by Commodity, International Trade (Mar), ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence (Apr)
  • more updates...

Economy in Brief

U.S. NAHB Housing Market Index Lowest Since 1991
by Tom Moeller August 16, 2007

The Composite Housing Market Index from the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) fell hard this month to the lowest level since early 1991. At 22, for August, the index fell 8.3% from July after a 14.3% during that month.

During the last twenty years there has been a 76% correlation between the y/y change in the Composite Index and the change in single family housing starts.

The sub-index for current sales also was down and fell 4.2% (-37.8% y/y) from July. The sub-index covering prospective sales in the next six months dropped 5.9% m/m (-22.0% y/y).

Traffic of prospective home buyers fell 15.8% m/m (-27.3% y/y).

The NAHB index is a diffusion index based on a survey of builders. Readings above 50 signal that more builders view conditions good than poor.

Visit the National Association of Home Builders.
Nat'l Association of Home Builders  August July   Aug. '06  2006 2005 2004
Composite Housing Market Index 22  24 33 42 67 68
close
large image