US Housing - not just seasonal softness?

QMG Insight

QMG

US housing starts: 1089k SAAR in March – from 1194k revised (1178k prior) in Feb and well below the 1166k consensus forecast

US housing permits (key lead indicator of future starts activity): 1086k SAAR in March – from 1177k revised (1167k prior)  in Feb and also well below the 1200k consensus estimate

This confirms the weakness QMG data is highlighting

The magnitude of the miss vs consensus ests (both permits and starts BELOW bottom end of range) suggests QMG data is more reliable indicator of current activity

We remain cautious on this theme – chart below

Worth noting that US DIY Retailing is holding up well – but historically have seen 6-9mth lag between new construction and DIY activity….so holding up for now, but alarm bells are going to start ringing pretty soon if trend in QMG housing data remains weak

We have a raft of homebuilders reporting this week – already starting to see downgrades

Stocks I am most concerned about as regards this analysis – US homebuilders, Wolselely (where UK DIY is weak), US DIY stocks (HD trading at all time high!) and James Hardie in Aust (the most expensive US-housing exposed stock in the world???).[US45.21_2 - pcandv.png]


1 topic

QMG Insight
QMG Insight
QMG

QMG provides insights into global markets that traditional research does not and has an innovative and data-driven approach as its foundation. The unique model we use analyses large quantities of information and produces monthly observations...

Expertise

No areas of expertise

I would like to

Only to be used for sending genuine email enquiries to the Contributor. Livewire Markets Pty Ltd reserves its right to take any legal or other appropriate action in relation to misuse of this service.

Personal Information Collection Statement
Your personal information will be passed to the Contributor and/or its authorised service provider to assist the Contributor to contact you about your investment enquiry. They are required not to use your information for any other purpose. Our privacy policy explains how we store personal information and how you may access, correct or complain about the handling of personal information.

Comments

Sign In or Join Free to comment