Summary Box: Index of home prices in 20 big cities rises for 8th consecutive month

Summary Box: Home prices rise for 8th month

RISING PRICES: Home prices rose 0.3 percent from December to January, according to the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index released Tuesday. The index is adjusted for seasonal factors.

BROAD GAINS: Prices rose in 12 cities in the index, led by Los Angeles, San Diego and Phoenix. Losers included Chicago, Seattle and Atlanta.

WHAT’S NEXT? Many analysts expect the index will turn downward in the coming months, especially after government incentives that have propped up sales disappear.