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OTTAWA, Nov 12 (Reuters) - New home prices in Canada edged
up by 0.1 percent in September from August, pushed higher by
strength in the major regions of Toronto and Vancouver,
Statistics Canada said on Thursday.
Market analysts polled by Reuters had expected a 0.2 percent
increase. Compared with a year earlier, prices were up by 1.3
percent.
The Toronto and Oshawa region, which accounts for 28.8
percent of the Canadian market, posted a 0.2 percent gain.
Builders cited market conditions for what was the eighth
consecutive monthly gain in the region.
Prices in Vancouver rose by 0.4 percent, also on market
conditions.
Prices increased in nine of the 21 metropolitan areas, were
unchanged in eight and fell in four.
The new housing price index excludes apartments and
condominiums, which the government says are a particular cause
for concern and which account for one-third of new housing.