Improving Home Builder Sentiment Bullish for Related Stocks

Home builders’ confidence rose in February, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The gain, which is measured on a 0-100 scale, reverses a two-month decline, leaving the index just above its November level. At 62, the index is still 10 points lower compared to this time last year. The survey asks respondents to rate market conditions for new home sales presently and over the next 6 months.

Part of the reason home builders are optimistic that the spring selling season will be strong is a decline in the conventional mortgage rate. Since peaking at 4.8 per cent last November, the US 30-Year Fixed Rate slid to 4.4 per cent. The other reason is the strength of the labor market. US employers added more than 2.6 million jobs last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Historically, the relative return of stocks which benefit from new home sales tends to track home builder optimism. This means our nation’s home building-related stocks, like Masco, Owens Corning and Lennar, are poised to substantially outpace the S&P 500 if this historical relationship remains intact. Let’s hope for a warmer spring.

The post Improving Home Builder Sentiment Bullish for Related Stocks appeared first on Cresset.

LinkedIn
Print
Cresset Favicon

About Cresset

Cresset is an independent, award-winning multi-family office and private investment firm with more than $45 billion in assets under management (as of 04/01/2024). Cresset serves the unique needs of entrepreneurs, CEO founders, wealth creators, executives, and partners, as well as high-net-worth and multi-generational families. Our goal is to deliver a new paradigm for wealth management, giving you time to pursue what matters to you most.

Receive Weekly Market Updates

From Chief Investment Officer, Jack Ablin.
We use cookies to improve your web experience, analyze site usage, and deliver personalized content to you. Some cookies are essential to site functionality, others are optional and help us see how the site is used or allow us to better service you.  By clicking “Accept” you are accepting all cookies. To better understand how cookies are used by us or to opt-out, visit Terms of Use.