June 18, 2013

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Services Sector Expands in December

Washington, DC, Jan. 4, 2013 -- Growth in the services sector increased in December, according to the Institute for Supply Management services sector index.

The index rose to 56.1% from 54.7% in November. Economists had expected a 54.7% reading.

The new-orders index rose by 1.2 percentage points to 59.3% and the employment index increased 6 percentage points to 56.3%. Readings above 50% indicate expansion.

                                                                                                                             

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Other Archived Articles

Mercier Has Incentives for Consumers, Retailers   Full Article Montmagny, QC, Canada, May 31, 2013 -- Mercier Wood Flooring is holding a promotion for both retailers and consumers.

Consumer Sentiment Near Six-Year High   Full Article Ann Arbor, MI, May 31, 2013 -- Consumer sentiment rose to the highest level in almost six years in May, according to the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan index.

Consumer Spending Falls in April   Full Article Washington, DC, May 31, 2013 -- Consumer spending fell in April by the largest amount in almost a year, according to the Commerce Department.

Valinge Wins U.S. Patent on Wood Fiber Process   Full Article Viken, Sweden, May 31, 2013 -- Valinge said that its subsidiary CeraLoc Innovation Belgium has been granted a U.S. patent regarding how its wood fiber floors are manufactured.

New LEED Version Getting Field Tests   Full Article Washington, DC, May 31, 2013 -- The U.S. Green Building Council said that nearly 100 building projects worldwide are already using LEED v4 by participating in the LEED v4 beta.

Mortgage Rates Highest in More Than a Year   Full Article Washington, DC, May 31, 2013 -- Mortgage rates hit their highest level in more than a year, according to Freddie Mac.

Builder Sentiment Still Positive in Multi-Family   Full Article Washington, DC, May 31, 2013 -- Builders were a little less optimistic about the multi-family construction market in the first quarter, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

Regupol America Gets GreenCircle Certification   Full Article Lebanon, PA, May 30, 2013 -- Regupol America, a supplier of recycled rubber flooring for athletic and commercial surfaces, has again earned a GreenCircle certification.

GDP Hurt by Lower Government Spending   Full Article Washington, DC, May 30, 2013 -- Falling government spending weighed on the U.S. economy in the first quarter more than initially thought, according to the Commerce Department.

Jobless Claims Tick Higher Last Week   Full Article Washington, DC, May 30, 2013 -- Initial claims for unemployment benefits last week rose to a seasonally adjusted 354,000, according to the Labor Department.

Pending Home Sales Up 10% from Last Year   Full Article Washington, DC, May 30, 2013 -- Pending home sales edged up 0.3% in April, the National Association of Realtors reported Thursday.

Home Sellers Gaining More Clout   Full Article New York, NY, May 30, 2013 -- Home sellers are slowly gaining the upper hand, according to a survey by real estate firm Century 21.

Bank-Owned Home Sales at Five-Year Low   Full Article Irvine, CA, May 30, 2013 -- Sales of bank-owned properties in the first quarter hit their lowest level since early 2008, according to tracking firm RealtyTrac.

Bamboo Hardwoods Signs Distributor Horizon   Full Article Raleigh, NC, May 30, 2013 -- Bamboo Hardwoods said it has entered into an agreement with Horizon Forest Products to distribute its bamboo flooring.

Armstrong Raising Wood Prices in July   Full Article Lancaster, PA, May 30, 2013 -- Armstrong said it will raise prices 5-7% in the U.S. and Canada on all solid hardwood and on select engineered hardwood products, effective with shipments on July 15.

Armstrong Commercial Products Win ADEX Awards   Full Article Lancaster, PA, May 29, 2013 -- Armstrong Commercial Flooring won Awards for Design Excellence its Striations BioBased Tile and Raffia premium vinyl composition tile.

Mortgage Applications Down as Rates Rise   Full Article Washington, DC, May 29, 2013 -- Mortgage application volume last week fell 9% from the prior week as refinance applications fell for a third consecutive week, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

Cobble Tufting Equipment Maker Sold   Full Article Chattanooga, TN, May 29, 2013 -- The family-owned Cobble tufting equipment manufacturer has been sold to Michel Van de Wiele NV of Marke, Belgium, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press

CAP Carpet Designs New Retailing Strategy   Full Article Wichita, KS, May 29, 2013 – CAP Carpet has rolled out what it calls The Floor Project, a new way of selling floorcovering at retail.

Topps Tiles Cutting Costs After Sales Decline   Full Article London, England, May 29, 2013 -- Tile and wood flooring chain Topps Tiles today said it was cutting costs in response to falling sales.