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Empresas y finanzas

Home prices rise less than expected in July: S&P


    NEW YORK (Reuters) - Single-family home prices rose for a sixth month in a row in July, though the improvement was not as strong as expected, a closely watched survey showed on Tuesday.

    The S&P/Case Shiller composite index of 20 metropolitan areas gained 0.4 percent in July on a seasonally adjusted basis, shy of economists' forecasts for 0.9 percent, according to a Reuters poll.

    On a non-adjusted basis, prices fared better, rising 1.6 percent.

    Six years after its collapse, economists believe the housing market has turned a corner. The home price data confirmed "recent good news" about the sector, David Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at Standard & Poor's, said in a statement.

    "All in all, we are more optimistic about housing. Upbeat trends continue," said Blitzer.

    Compared to a year ago, prices in the 20 cities were up 1.2 percent, beating expectations for 1 percent. It was the second month in a row year-over-year prices have risen.

    (Reporting by Leah Schnurr; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)