Initial Jobless Claims Rise Last Week
Washington, DC, Jan. 2, 2015 -- Initial claims for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week.
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.
Mortgage Bankers Sees Higher Sales, Interest Rates in 2015
Washington, DC, Dec. 30, 2014 -- The Mortgage Bankers Association predicted in its December 2014 forecast that housing starts next year will peak in the fourth quarter at an annual rate of 1.15 million units.
Number of Renters Rises, Along With Costs
Seattle, WA, Dec. 30, 2014 -- Residential renters paid $441 billion for living quarters in 2014, according to real estate information firm Zillow.
Oil Prices Hit Lowest Levels Since May 2009
New York, NY, Dec. 30, 2014 -- West Texas Intermediate for February delivery fell as much as $0.91 to $52.70 a barrel today on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the lowest since May 2009.
Retail Sales Increase This Holiday Season
New York, NY, Dec. 29, 2014 -- Retail sales increased 5.5% from Black Friday through Christmas Eve, MasterCard reported.
Wood from Demolished Mill Becomes Flooring
Andover, MA, Dec. 29, 2014 -- Wooden decking, floorboards, and joists have been salvaged from Andover’s historic Abbot Mill and will be recycled into flooring by Cambridge-based reclaimed lumber company Longleaf Lumber.
Consumer Sentiment Closes 2014 on High Note
Ann Arbor, MI, Dec. 23, 2014 -- Consumer sentiment closed out 2014 at its highest level since January 2007, according to the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index for December.
Consumer Spending Accelerates in November
Washington, DC, Dec. 23, 2014 -- U.S. consumer spending picked up in November, according to the Commerce Department.
Third Quarter GDP Grew 5%
Washington, DC, Dec. 23, 2014 -- Third quarter economic growth was much stronger than initially estimated, according to the Commerce Department.
New Home Sales Slip in November
Washington, DC, Dec. 23, 2014 -- Sales of new single-family homes fell 1.6% in November, according to the Commerce Department.