Houses are hot here in the west. The S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city index rose 5.7% annually in the three months that ended in January compared to the same period a year ago, up from December’s 5.5% annual rate. The index was up 0.2% for the month, or 0.9% seasonally adjusted. Seattle led on an annual basis, up 0.6% for the month and 11.3% for the year with Portland second, up only 0.1% for the month but 9.7% for the year.
The Conference Board reports its consumer confidence index jumped to 125.6 in March from 116.1 in February. That’s the highest level in more than 16 years. Economists expected 114.1. Both the present situation and the expectations indexes improved in March. The gains cut across most regional and income groups and the higher the household income, the higher the consumer confidence. Only those with household incomes below $15,000 are less confident now than they were before the election.
Serving the West Side first, I am Bill Roller of BR Capital for 1360 KUIK.
