Pending home sales were down in July, with higher mortgage interest rates slowing the market, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, declined 1.3 percent to 109.5 in July from …
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‘No Records,’ But Steady Business Mid-Year Across Canada
While the healthy level of activity across Canada appears to be something many retailers shared through most of the country, it may not be enough to put most retailers ahead in sales over last year. Central and Eastern Canada In …
Read More »Existing-Home Sales Up in July
Existing-home sales jumped in July, with the median price maintaining double-digit year-over-year increases, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Total existing-home sales increased 6.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.39 million in July from a downwardly revised …
Read More »Overall Retail Sales Up, Building Materials Sales Down in July
July retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.3 percent seasonally adjusted from June, but declined in home-based categories, including building materials and furniture stores, according to the National Retail Federation. July retail sales, released today by the …
Read More »Survey Shows Improving Economic Outlook for Small Businesses
The National Small Business Association’s (NSBA) recently released 2013 Mid-Year Economic Report shows small business owners have improved their overall economic outlook, with 40 percent saying today’s economy is better off compared with five years ago—the highest it’s been in five years. …
Read More »Unemployment Rate Down to 7.4%
Both the number of unemployed, at 11.5 million, and the unemployment rate, at 7.4 percent, were down in July. These measures were down by 1.2 million and 0.8 percentage point over the year, respectively, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics …
Read More »Modestly Increased June Retail Sales Reflective of Slow-Growth Economy
Consumer spending and retail sales ended the second quarter on a soft note, indicating that economic growth and acceleration has weakened. According to the National Retail Federation, June retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted …
Read More »28,000 Retail Jobs Added in June
Total nonfarm payroll employment rose in June by 195,000, and the unemployment rate was unchanged from May at 7.6 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The number of unemployed persons, at 11.8 million, was also unchanged in June. …
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