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April 7, 2014 The Conference Board Employment Trends Index increased in March.  The index now stands at 117.52, up from 117.01 (an upward revision) in February.  This represents a 5.1 percent gain in the ETI compared to a year ago. “The increase in the Employment Trends Index in the first quarter is signaling solid job... Read more »

April 4, 2014 The economy generated a gain of 192,000 jobs in March.  Undoubtedly, there was some catch up in hiring following the inclement weather this winter.  Still, the underlying hiring trend is encouraging, with more good news expected this spring and summer.  This confirms the signals from The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index and... Read more »

April 7, 2014 Of the approximately 350 metro markets nationwide, 59 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 11 metros year over year. The index’s nationwide score ticked... Read more »

April 1, 2014 In a move to increase traffic and grow sales, Family Dollar said it added 400 products to its food offerings and reduced prices on 1,000 other items. As part of the rollout, the operator of more than 8,100 stores enlisted the aid of television personality, author and chef Pat Neely.  Plans call... Read more »

April 1, 2014 New Orders, Employment and Production Growing, Inventories Growing, Supplier Deliveries Slowing Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in March for the 10th consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 58th consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.  The report was issued... Read more »

March 27, 2014 During New Homes Month in April, the National Association of Home Builders is sharing with home buyers the most popular features in new single-family homes in 2014.  Builders from across the country were surveyed on what features they were most likely to include in a typical single-family home this year, revealing that... Read more »

March 28, 2014 Weather Trends International expects April 2014 to trend the coldest in five years and drier than last year for the U.S. as a whole.  Warmer year-on-year temperature trends in the Central states will be sandwiched in between colder trends on the East and West coasts.  A more active severe weather season than... Read more »

March 27, 2014 Favorable tax credits and a 53rd week in fiscal 2012 affected Fred’s net income results for the fourth quarter.  Severe weather also contributed some to the company’s net sales decline, as did higher-than-normal utility bills and rising generic drug costs. The company reported a substantial 34.5% decrease in its net income during the... Read more »

A recent Federal Reserve report shows that household finances have regained substantial ground since the Great Recession, driven largely by the run-up in home values and surge in stocks.  These positive forces have contributed to the highest level of wealth in our history – the net worth of U.S. households and nonprofits reached $80.7 trillion... Read more »