Leading Indicators Rise in July
Washington, DC, August 20, 2007--The Conference Board said that the leading index increased 0.4%, the coincident index increased 0.2 % and the lagging index also increased 0.2% in July.
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Jobs, Housing Lower Chicago Fed Econ Gauge
Chicago, IL, August 20, 2007--The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago said its gauge of the national economy was lower in July, hurt by weakness in employment and housing indicators.
Online Buying Rises 6.4% in Quarter
Washington, DC August 20, 2007—The Commerce Department said that retail e-commerce sales for the second quarter increased 6.4% to a seasonally adjusted $33.6 billion, from the first quarter of 2007.
Nearly Half of Americans Say Economy Declining
Rochester, NY, August 20, 2007-- As the volatility continues on Wall Street, a plurality of Americans says the economy is declining while one-third of Americans say, compared to a year ago, their own personal finances have gotten worse.
Lowe's Earnings Balloon 9% on New Store Sales
Mooresville, NC, August 20, 2007--Lowe's reported net earnings in the second quarter that increased 9% to $1.02 billion over the same period a year ago. Earnings per share increased 11.7% to $0.67 verses $0.60 in the second quarter of 2006.
Chicago In-Home Retailer Luna Expands
Bellwood, IL, August 20, 2007--Luna, the in-home carpet seller with the familiar TV jingle, will branch out into brick and mortar retail stores this fall.
Interface to Redeem 7.3% Senior Notes
Atlanta, GA, August 16, 2007--Interface Inc. said it will redeem all of its outstanding 7.3% senior notes.
Best Tile Gets Boston Showroom
Ludlow, MA, August 16, 2007--Best Tile Distributors of New England now has its name on a showroom at the Boston Design Center..
Consumer Sentiment Drops in August
New York, NY, August 17, 2007--The consumer sentiment index, according to Reuters and University of Michigan preliminary reading in August, declined 7.1 points to 83.3.
Fed Cuts Discount Rate to 5.75%
Washington, DC, August 17, 2007--The Fed, in an unscheduled announcement, cut its discount rate and said it's prepared to take further actions to ``mitigate'' damage to the economy from the rout in global credit markets.