The S&P/Case-Shiller home price index increased by 4.9% in September, beating expectations for a 4.7% rise, after a 5.6% gain in August.

On a monthly basis, the index rose at a seasonally adjusted rate of 0.3%.

The S&P/Case-Shiller home price index measures single-family home prices in 20 U.S. cities. House prices declined in nine cities, increased in nine cities, and were unchanged in the remaining two cities.