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August 4, 2014 Each $1,000 increase in the cost of a new median-priced home price forces 206,000 prospective buyers out of the marketplace, according to a new study by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The number of households affected varies across states and metro areas and largely depends on their population, income distribution... Read more »

August 4, 2014 The Conference Board Employment Trends Index (ETI) increased in July.  The index now stands at 120.31, up from 119.92 (an upward revision) in June.  This represents a 6.6 percent gain in the ETI compared to a year ago. “The six-month growth rate in the Employment Trends Index is the strongest in over... Read more »

August 1, 2014 The National Retail Federation calculated retail industry (excluding autos and gasoline) employment increased by 27,000 jobs in July.  NRF calculated that retail gained 232,000 jobs year-over-year.  The healthy and steady increase in retail employment was due to improved economic and seasonal factors in the second quarter and should provide for stronger growth in... Read more »

August 1, 2014 The economy generated a gain of 209,000 jobs in July, very close to the average of more than 200,000 per month over the past year.  This means that the trend in employment growth, which supported stellar second quarter GDP growth and strong consumer and business confidence, is holding up for now.  The... Read more »

August 1, 2014 At first glance the list of the nation’s fastest growing retailers appears to be more of a hodgepodge of industry sectors than evidence of a single, defined trend.  From grocery conglomerates and discount specialty stores to home furnishing and athletic wear companies, the top players on STORES’ Hot 100 Retailers List run... Read more »

July 31, 2014 In June 2014, annual inflation as measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) declined in the U.S. and Japan, but was mixed across Euro Area countries compared. Although inflation remained steady in the Euro Area as a whole, price growth slowed in Belgium (from 0.8 to 0.7 percent), France (from... Read more »

July 31, 2014 Retail and consumer products veteran Brian Cornell was named chairman and CEO at Target to fill two of the three roles previously held by the company’s former top executive Gregg Steinhafel. Cornell will assume his new responsibilities at Target on August 12 after most recently serving as CEO of PepsiCo Americas Foods... Read more »

July 30, 2014 The U.S. Census Bureau of Economic Analysis today reported 4.0 percent annualized growth in real Gross Domestic Product for the second quarter of 2014. Some of the past quarter’s growth performance reflects a catch-up from the dismal first quarter performance.  But this stellar growth figure also suggests that the economy has gained... Read more »

July 29, 2014 The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had improved in June, increased in July.  The Index now stands at 90.9, up from 86.4 in June.  The Present Situation Index increased to 88.3 from 86.3, while the Expectations Index rose to 92.7 from 86.4 in June. Says Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators... Read more »