Tag Archives: economy

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported its July Housing Market Index (HMI)—also known as the “homebuilder confidence index”—rose to 53 from the June reading of 49. Economists had been expecting a less-significant increase to 50. The report was …

The Hardware Retailing Stock Index posted another positive close in June, buoyed by an improving housing market and gradually strengthening economic conditions. The index rose 6.71 points, or 0.55 percent, and closed at 1235.05. Advancing issues easily topped declining issues …

Retail sales increased in June, which probably helped the U.S. economy rebound in the second quarter. Purchases increased 0.2 percent after a 0.5 percent advance in May that was larger than previously reported, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. …

Americans are buying fewer refrigerators, stoves and other household cooking appliances and that’s hurting the nation’s 95 household cooking appliance manufacturers, the U.S. Census Bureau said Tuesday. Shipments of household cooking appliances were valued at $4.3 billion in 2012, a …

Part-time hiring is expected to lead full-time hiring among U.S. retailers in the second half of 2014, according to a new survey from WorkInRetail.com. Thirty-five percent of retailers plan to hire full-time, permanent employees from July through the end of …

Favorable exchange rates, affordable home prices and rising affluence abroad continue to drive international buyers to the U.S. to purchase properties and make real estate investments. According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2014 Profile of International Home Buying Activity, for …

Facing uncertainty over an unsettled labor dispute between West Coast dockworkers and the operators of port terminals and shipping lines, imports are expected to reach their highest monthly volume in at least five years in July, according to the Global …

Pending home sales rose sharply in May, with lower mortgage rates and increased inventory accelerating the market, according to the National Association of Realtors®. All four regions of the country saw increases in pending sales, with the Northeast and West …