Builder Confidence Increased in March

by Calculated Threat on 3/15/2023 10:13:00 AM

The Nationwide Affiliation of Dwelling Builders (NAHB) reported the housing market index (HMI) was at 44, up from 42 final month. Any quantity under 50 signifies that extra builders view gross sales circumstances as poor than good.

From the NAHB: Builder Confidence Edges Increased in March however Future Outlook Unsure

Though excessive building prices and elevated rates of interest proceed to hamper housing affordability, builders expressed cautious optimism in March as an absence of present stock is shifting demand to the brand new residence market.

Builder confidence available in the market for newly constructed single-family properties in March rose two factors to 44, in accordance with the Nationwide Affiliation of Dwelling Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). That is the third straight month-to-month enhance in builder sentiment ranges..

The HMI index gauging present gross sales circumstances in March rose two factors to 49 and the gauge measuring visitors of potential patrons elevated three factors to 31. That is the best visitors studying since September of final 12 months. The element charting gross sales expectations within the subsequent six months fell one level to 47.

Trying on the three-month transferring averages for regional HMI scores, the Northeast rose 5 factors to 42, the Midwest edged one-point larger to 34, the South elevated 5 factors to 45 and the West moved 4 factors larger to 34.


emphasis added

Click on on graph for bigger picture.

This graph exhibits the NAHB index since Jan 1985.

This was above the consensus forecast. 

The “visitors of potential patrons” remains to be nicely under breakeven at 31 (under 50).