Tag Archives: economy

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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. …

Consumer confidence improved for the third straight month, according to the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index. The Index now stands at 81.4, up from 74.3 in May, bringing it to its highest level since January 2008 (Index 87.3). “Consumers are …

Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes surged eight points in June to a reading of 52 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. Any reading higher than 50 indicates more …

Nationwide housing starts rose 6.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 914,000 units in May due primarily to increased production of multi-family homes, according to released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the …