Price Gains Signal U.S. Housing to Boost Growth: Economy

Home prices in 20 U.S. cities rose in the 12 months to November by the most in more than six years, showing the housing market will play a more central role in the U.S. economic expansion this year.

The S&P/Case-Shiller index of property values increased 5.5 percent from November 2011, the biggest year-over-year gain since August 2006, according to data released in New York today. Confidence sank more than forecast in January as consumers were stung by a drop in take-home pay, another report showed.