The Case-Shiller Home Price Index is unique among other economic data indicators for recommending that analysts focus solely on its Non-seasonal adjusted data series, as this is what the report uses in its own headline figures. It adds that “for analytical purposes, S&P Dow Jones Indices publishes a seasonally adjusted data set covered in the headline indices” – a far cry from the BLS, whose Arima X 12 models are the basis of the data “moves” on a monthly basis: moves which are based not so much in the underlying data but on the seasonal adjustment and fudging the government employees apply to it. And it is the unadjusted Case Shiller data that showed that in November, the 20 City Composite index posted its second consecutive monthly price decline in a row. Yes: on a year over year basis home prices did rise some 5.5%, but on the other hand, “average home prices across the United States are back to their autumn 2003 levels for both the 10-City and 20-City Composites.” And while the price decline into the year end is somewhat seasonal, it certainly does not fit with all the other economic data released by the government showing a housing picture so bright not even the tiniest drops in prices were allowed.
