Tag Archives: economy

In June, 17 states had unemployment rates that were significantly lower than the total U.S. figure of 6.1 percent, 8 states and the District of Columbia had measurably higher rates, and 25 states had rates that were not appreciably different …

Growth in home improvement activity is expected to climax during the second half of 2014 and then begin to ease heading into next year, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) released by the Remodeling Futures Program at …

The National Retail Federation lowered its retail sales forecast for 2014 because of slow growth recorded during the first half of the year, but said sales are expected to grow significantly faster over the next five months. NRF forecasted in …

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 …