UK house prices defy Middle East conflict with fourth month of unexpected gains

British house prices unexpectedly rose for a fourth month in a row ​in April, despite headwinds to consumer confidence from ‌conflict in the Middle East, according to mortgage lender Nationwide Building Society.

House prices rose 0.4 per cent in April after a 0.9 per cent increase ​in March, in contrast to economists’ expectations in a ​Reuters poll for a 0.3 per cent drop. Prices were ⁠3.0 per cent higher than a year earlier, faster than the expected ​2.2 per cent growth.

“Despite...