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Strong Topline GDP Growth Overstates The Strength In The Economy
05 Nov, 2014 • Helen Thomas
October 30, 2014 The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis today reported 3.5 percent annualized growth in real Gross Domestic Product for the third quarter of 2014, which is above expectations because of strong contributions from net exports and government spending on national defense. The growth in household consumption was disappointing, and business investment grew only... Read more »
Family Dollar Closing In On FTC Compliance
05 Nov, 2014 • Helen Thomas
October 22, 2014 Family Dollar Stores on Tuesday announced that it has certified substantial compliance with both the Federal Trade Commission’s second request regarding the acquisition by Dollar Tree, as well as the second request regarding Dollar General’s bid for the company. Dollar Tree is expected to certify substantial compliance by November 7, the company... Read more »
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index Rebounds
04 Nov, 2014 • Helen Thomas
October 28, 2014 The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had decreased in September, rebounded in October. The Index now stands at 94.5, up from 89.0 in September. The Present Situation Index edged up from 93.0 to 93.7, while the Expectations Index increased sharply to 95.0 from 86.4 in September. Says Lynn Franco, Director of... Read more »
New Home Sales Edge Up 0.2 Percent From Revised Down August Rate
03 Nov, 2014 • Helen Thomas
October 24, 2014 Sales of newly built, single-family homes inched up 0.2 percent in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 467,000 units, the highest level in six years, according to newly released data by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. Sales numbers for August were revised... Read more »
The Conference Board Leading Economic Index For The U.S. Increased In September
03 Nov, 2014 • Helen Thomas
October 23, 2014 The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. increased 0.8 percent in September to 104.4, following no change in August, and a 1.1 percent increase in July. “The LEI picked up in September, after no change in August, and the strengths among its components have been very widespread over the... Read more »
Remodeling Market Index Reclaims All-Time High
01 Nov, 2014 • Helen Thomas
October 23, 2014 The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) reclaimed the high-water mark of 57 in the third quarter of 2014. This is the sixth consecutive quarter for an RMI reading above 50. An RMI above 50 indicates that more remodelers report market activity is higher (compared to the prior... Read more »
JCP Picks A President And Eventual CEO
22 Oct, 2014 • Helen Thomas
October 13, 2014 Home Depot EVP Marvin Ellison will become president of J.C. Penney on November 1 and succeed Mike Ullman as CEO of the department store retailer next August. Ellison, 49, is an interesting choice for a retailer focused on apparel and accessories given his extensive background in operations as opposed to merchandising. He... Read more »
Price Investments Hinder Supervalu Profits
21 Oct, 2014 • Helen Thomas
October 16, 2014 Supervalu president and CEO Sam Duncan is encouraged with the progress the retailer is making and why not. Identical store sales in the company’s Save-A-Lot units were up 6.5% in the second quarter. The company’s total sales for the period ended September 6, increased 1.8% to $4.02 billion while profits declined to... Read more »
Dollar General Adds Another DC
21 Oct, 2014 • Helen Thomas
October 16, 2014 Even if Dollar General doesn’t prevail in its efforts to acquire Family Dollar, the company’s expanding distribution infrastructure is positioned to support future growth. Dollar General said it plans to build the 13th distribution center in its nationwide network in San Antonio. The facility will measure more than 900,000 sq. ft., employ... Read more »