Could a recuperating housing market help confidence?

Housing Prices could be an eye opener
Housing data in the U.S could add to the holiday spirits this week, as house prices are expected to drop by -7.10%, compared to a previous -9.36%. Even though parts of the housing market are now showing minor improvement - housing starts recently increased, showing impressive figures, other results such as New-Home Sales have sharply declined. Single-family homes declined 11.4% in November to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 355,000 units.
One must note that recent improvement in leading parts of the economy have been fueling the Dollar rally, driving it to higher levels against counterparts, but as mixed signals continue to show a fragile housing market, investors will scrutinize the upcoming data, as a worse than expected figure could put pressure on the Greenback.
Consumer confidence is on the rise
In addition U.S consumer confidence is expected show a 52.7 figure, compared to a previous 49.5. Usually released on the last Tuesday of the month, investors watch this number closely as increasing confidence, often leads to personal consumption. Recent figures have been bouncing around the 50 mark, as Main Street remains dubious about the recent recovery. A higher than expected reading is normally considered to be bullish for the USD.

Posted by Etoro on Monday December 28, 2009 8:25 am