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April 25, 2014 Probably.  Starting in 2007, U.S. consumers began to build up savings, and pay off more old debt than the amount of new credit card, mortgage, or other household debt they incurred.  Of course, this had the impact of delaying the replacement of old vehicles or household appliances and furniture.  The bottom line,... Read more »

April 25, 2014 Last week: The Conference Board Leading Economic Index pointed to some faster growth in the U.S. economy this spring and summer.  Two important ingredients, beyond recovery from a bad winter, are improving sentiment and a pickup in demand, signaled by improving orders.  This past week, data on orders for durable goods suggested... Read more »

April 25, 2014 Weather Trends International expects May to trend the coldest in three years and drier than last year.  On the West Coast, it will be cooler than last year, but still above normal, while the South trends warmer than last year and normal.  There is a good chance that a large portion of... Read more »

April 24, 2014 Against the backdrop of unusually severe winter weather, the Remodeling Market Index (RMI) declined to 53 in the first quarter of 2014, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).  This reading is down from the historically high level of 57 in the two most recent quarters, but remains above the... Read more »

April 24, 2014 A growing economy, pent-up demand, competitive mortgage rates and affordable home prices will keep housing on an upward trajectory through 2015.  However, several obstacles including tight consumer credit, shortages of lots and labor and rising materials prices are hindering a more robust recovery, according to economists who participated in yesterday’s National Association... Read more »

April 25, 2014 The Bureau of Economic Analysis released today – for the first time – gross domestic product (GDP) by industry for 22 industry sectors on a quarterly basis.  These new statistics fill an important gap in U.S. federal economic statistics by providing timely information on how individual industries contributed to U.S. economic growth... Read more »

Gross output will correct the fallacy fostered by GDP that consumer spending drives the economy. April 22, 2014 Starting April 25, the Bureau of Economic Analysis will release a new way to measure the economy each quarter.  It’s called gross output, and it’s the first significant macroeconomic tool to come into regular use since gross... Read more »

April 24, 2014 Safeway posted sales of $8.3 billion in the first quarter of 2014, representing an increase of 1%.  The slight uptick in sales was primarily attributed to an identical-store sales (excluding fuel) increase of 1.8%, partly offset by lower fuel sales in 2014. This increase of 1.8% consists of a 1% increase in... Read more »

April 23, 2014 Things are looking good for Supervalu, which reported fourth quarter fiscal 2014 net sales of $4 billion, up 1.4%, and net earnings of $26 million, or $0.10 per diluted share. “Fiscal 2014 was an important transition year for Supervalu as we stabilized the organization and set the foundation for our future,” stated... Read more »