As earnings season kicks into high gear for homebuilders this week, investors will be looking for hints of whether the real estate boom can possibly continue into 2006. A swarm of data comes out this week on housing sales, consumer confidence and corporate earnings, but trying to decipher what it all means for builders' future remains an arduous task.
For two years now, pundits have been predicting the U.S. real estate bubble would deflate and homebuilder shares would tank. The market is looking to see if now might be the right time for the collapse, given rising interest rates, escalating gas and home heating oil prices, high household debt and shaky consumer confidence.
Major builders reporting results this week include Centex (CTX Quote) and Meritage (MTH Quote) on Tuesday, Pulte (PHM Quote) on Wednesday, and Standard Pacific (SPF Quote) on Thursday. ...
Recent Comments
| Dow Jones | S&P 500 | NASDAQ | 10-Year Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,328.89 | 1,102.47 | 2,211.69 | 35.46 |
Oil *
73.88
|
|
UP
20.63
|
UP
6.40
|
UP
31.64
|
UP
0.59
|
10 Yr
3.55%
SPDR Gold
108.95
|
|
+0.20%
|
+0.58%
|
+1.45%
|
+1.69%
|
Data delayed 20 minutes |
Connect with TheStreet