Home Prices Rise Fourth Straight Month

New York, NY, July 31, 2012 -- Single-family house prices rose for the fourth consecutive month in May, according to the S&P/Case Shiller composite index of 20 metropolitan areas.

The composite index gained 0.9% in May on a seasonally adjusted basis, topping economists' expectations for a 0.5% gain.

On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, prices fared even better, jumping 2.2%.

The yearly rate of decline moderated, with prices down 0.7% compared to a 1.9% drop in April.