MIAMI (AP) - Home prices rose in February, the first annual
increase in more than three years, but fell short of analysts'
expectations.
      But results of the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller 20-city home
price index were mixed, as 11 of the 20 cities showed declines.
      Home prices in February increased 0.6 percent on a
non-seasonally adjusted basis, according to the index released
Tuesday. The last time prices rose on a year-over-year basis was
December 2006.
      Economists polled by Thomson Reuters predicted a 1.2 percent
increase.
      The data show that home prices could decline further before
experiencing any sustained gains and it's too early to say the
housing market is recovering.