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Leading Markets Index Shows 56 Metros At Or Above Normal Levels
12 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 5, 2014 Of the approximately 350 metro markets nationwide, 56 returned to or exceeded their last normal levels of economic and housing activity, according to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Leading Markets Index (LMI), released today. This represents a net gain of nine metros year over year. The index’s nationwide score of... Read more »
Economic Highlights For The Week Ahead – June 11
12 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 11, 2014 Last week: The U.S. economy generated almost 200,000 new jobs in May, continuing a trend that is now more than a year old. Indeed, consistently generating that many new jobs is slowly beginning to encourage some discouraged workers to start looking again. As these developments continue, there will be less slack in... Read more »
Consumers Spending Outlook Brightens In May
12 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 11, 2014 Consumer spending in May increased 4.2%, with the retail sector enjoying new vigor. The spending increase of 4.2% compared to 4.1% in April. Retail spending growth of 1.7% marked a slight uptick compared to April’s growth of 1.3% as warmer weather across most regions, with the exception of the Northeast, supported retail... Read more »
The Conference Board Employment Trends Index Increased In May
10 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 9, 2014 The Conference Board Employment Trends Index (ETI) increased in May. The index now stands at 118.58, up from 117.32 (a downward revision) in April. This represents a 5.4 percent gain in the ETI compared to a year ago. “The Employment Trends Index continues to signal solid job growth with an improvement in... Read more »
Dad’s Get Even Less Love This Year
10 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 3, 2014 Father’s Day is already the smallest of gift-giving holidays and this year Americans are expected to spend even less, according to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) 2014 Father’s Day Spending Survey. The survey found that the average person will spend $113.80 on neckties, tools, electronics and other special gifts for dad, slightly... Read more »
Dollar General Doesn’t Blink
09 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 3, 2014 Undeterred by bad weather and competitive pressures that took a toll on its first quarter performance, Dollar General is pressing ahead with plans for 700 new stores, recently opened its 12th distribution center and believes its full year profit forecast is attainable. The company said sales during its 13 week quarter ended... Read more »
Green Homes Show Growth In A Recovering Market
09 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 5, 2014 Residential construction is a key engine behind growth in the United States. According to McGraw Hill Construction’s Dodge Construction Market Forecast, single and multifamily housing projects account for about 45% of the value of all construction projects started in the United States in 2014. With that market forecasted to grow rapidly in... Read more »
Costco Beats Expectations In May
09 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 5, 2014 Warmer weather in May meant an uptick in store traffic for a few retailers, including Costco. But the wholesale retailer’s same-store sales for the month – which increased 6%, with a 6% rise in U.S. sales and a 4% increase in international sales – were better than analysts had expected and bolstered... Read more »
Strong And Steady Job Growth
09 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 6, 2014 The economy generated a gain of 217,000 jobs in May, compared with an average of nearly 200,000 per month over the past year. Job growth may strengthen even further over the second half of the year as the economy picks up in pace. Improving final demand is forcing business to add workers.... Read more »