Builder Stocks Reflect Growing Optimism in Housing

New York, NY, Aug. 13, 2012 -- If the stock market anticipates the economy, the home building sector could be substantially healthier next year.

Bloomberg News reported that overall U.S. homebuilder shares are appreciating at a record rate this year, even as new-home sales are still 50 percent below the 40-year average.

The Standard & Poor’s Supercomposite Homebuilder Index of 11 companies has risen 53 percent this year through Aug. 10, compared with a 12 percent gain for the broader S&P 500 Index.

Some builders, including PulteGroup, are raising prices in some markets.