Consumer Sentiment Rose 4.7% in Early February
Ann Arbor, MI, February 15, 2019—Consumer sentiment rose 4.7% to 95.5 in early February, according to preliminary results from the University of Michigan Survey of Consumers.
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Fixed-Rate Mortgages Fall to 12-Month Low
McLean, VA, February 15, 2019—Fixed-rate mortgages fell to the lowest levels since early 2018, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey.
NeoCon Expands Education Program, Offers Full Listing
Chicago, IL, February 15, 2019—The 51st edition of NeoCon, June 10 to 12, will deliver an multidisciplinary offering of over 100CEU seminars from some of the most influential voices in the industry.
Housing Affordability Remained at Decade Low in Q4
Washington, DC, February 15, 2018—A modest increase in interest rates offset a slight decline in home prices to keep housing affordability essentially level in Q4 2018 and still hovering at a ten-year low, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI).
Study Reveals Hardwood Industry's Contribution to Economy
Sterling, VA, February 15, 2019-A new study shows that the U.S. hardwood forest products industry employs over 1.8 million people and contributes $348 billion to the U.S. economy, according to the Decorative Hardwoods Association.
Industrial Production Fell 0.6% in January
Washington, DC, February 15, 2019—Industrial production decreased 0.6% in January after rising 0.1% in December, according to the Federal Reserve.
Import Prices Dropped 0.5% in January
Washington, DC, February 15, 2019—U.S. import prices fell 0.5% in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
Retail Sales Rose 2.3% YOY in December
Washington, DC, February 14, 2019-Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for December 2018 were $505.8 billion, a decrease of 1.2% from the previous month, but 2.3% above December 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Texas-Based Commercial Flooring Systems Joins Fuse
Laguna Niguel, CA, February 14, 2019-Fuse Alliance has announced that Commercial Flooring Systems of Texas has joined the network as a new member.
Distrib. Sales & Manufacturer Shipments Up 4.2% YOY in Nov.
Washington, DC, February 14, 2019-The combined value of distributive trade sales and manufacturers’ shipments for November was estimated at $1,462.5 billion, down 0.3% from October 2018, but was up 4.2% from November 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.