Research Center
Economy Watch: New Home Sales Drop in July
Sales of new single-family houses in July 2014 were at an annualized rate of 412,000 units, according to the Census Bureau and HUD.
Economy Watch: Yellen Worried About Employment, Non-Committal on Rates
The Federal Reserve has long been adept at maintaining a poker face, and Chair Janet Yellen seems to be carrying on the practice.
Economy Watch: Fed Seems More Optimistic
The Federal Open Market Committee released the minutes of its July 29-30 meeting, striking a tone of mild optimism, in as much as the tone of the meeting was actually reflected by the minutes.
Economy Watch: Housing Starts Spike in July
U.S. housing starts jumped in July compared with June, according to the Census Bureau, a reversal of the preceding months, which have been generally sluggish for housing starts.
Ups and Downs
(value of manufacturers’ new orders; not seasonally adjusted; $ in millions)
‘Economy Watch’ Podcast with Dees Stribling: Retail Sales Disappointed
Retail sales disappointed in July, but at least the U.S. economy isn’t the E.U. economy.
Economy Watch: State Unemployment Rates Edge Up in July
Thirty states had unemployment rate increases in July compared with June, eight experienced decreases and 12 states and the District of Columbia had no change, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
APARTMENT MARKET STATISTICS: August 2014
The three-month moving average of multifamily housing starts now exceeds the average recorded between 2000 and 2007, according to the National Association of Home Builders.
Economy Watch: E-Commerce Continues to Expand
The Census Bureau reported that U.S. e-commerce sales for the second quarter of 2014 were $75 billion, an increase of 4.9 percent compared with the first quarter of the year.