Today's Flooring News

Keep up to date with the most recent news in the flooring industry. Today's News...As it happens! We update this news several times a day so you can stay connected.

Sears 1Q Earnings Up

Hoffman Estates, IL, May 18, 2006--Sears Holdings posted a strong jump in first-quarter earnings Thursday, citing better profitability from both its Kmart and Sears Domestic operations, mainly due to reduced expenses.

Jobless Claims Jump Last Week

Washington, DC, May 18, 2000--New jobless claims rose by 42,000 lst week as a partial government shutdown in Puerto Rico added 46,000 unadjusted claims, according to the Labor Department.

Commercial Real Estate Continues Up

Washington, DC, May 18, 2006--The expanding economy is pulling commercial real estate along with it, creating strong demand for space. At the same time, institutional investors are returning to the market, according to a commercial market update and forec

Chico Batavia Dead at 61

Chico Batavia, a respected member of the flooring community, died on May 15th, at the age of 61. He spent many years at Allied Fibers before starting his own firm, CB Consulting.

Home Builders Down on Analyst Report

New York, NY, May 17, 2006--Shares of major home builders edged down Tuesday, after an analyst released a report lowering his earnings estimates for the companies based on expected increases in interest rates and predictions of soft spring sales.

Pakistan’s Carpet Exports Up

Lahore, Pakistan, May 17, 2006--Pakistan's carpet exports during first nine months of the year 2005-06 stood at Rs 11.947 million against Rs 11.758 million in the corresponding period of previous year.

Top 100 Home Builders Gained Market Share in 2005

Washington, DC, May 17, 2006--More than one in five new-home buyers bought their homes from the nation's top 10 builders in 2005, Builder magazine reveals in its annual Builder 100 list, published in the magazine's May issue.