Leading Economic Indicators Up Sharply
New York, NY, Sept. 19, 2013 -- The Conference Board Leading Economic Index increased 0.7% in August to 96.6, following a 0.5% increase in July, and no change in June.
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Fewer File for Unemployment Benefits Last Week
New York, NY, Sept. 19, 2013 -- Initial claims for unemployment benefits totaled 309,000 last week, according to the Labor Deparment.
Philadelphia Manufacturing Activity Surges
Philadelphia, PA, Sept. 19, 2013 -- The Philadelphia Fed's manufacturing index surged higher to a reading of 22.3 in September from 9.3 in August.
Single-Family Home Starts, Permits Rise
Washington, DC, Sept. 18, 2013 -- New home construction starts rose 0.9% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 891,000, according to the Commerce Department.
Kraus Group Names New U.S. President
Clarion, PA, Sept. 18, 2013 -- Carpet maker The Kraus Group has named Dave Mumford as President of its U.S. division, Kraus USA.
Buffett in Video About Shaw's New China Plant
Dalton, GA, Sept. 18, 2013 -- Berkshire-Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett is featured in a video discussing the opening of Shaw Industries' carpet tile plant in China.
Mortgage Application Volume Rises
Washington, DC, Sept. 18, 2013 -- Mortgage application volume rose 11% last week on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Builder Confidence Unchanged in September
Washington, DC, Sept. 17, 2013 -- Following four consecutive months of improvement, home builder confidence held unchanged in September with a reading of 58 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index.
McMinnville Hardwood Plant Gets Certification
St. Louis, MO, Sept. 17, 2013 -- The National Wood Flooring Association said that McMinnville Manufacturing Co., a wood flooring manufacturing mill in McMinnville, Tennessee, has earned the NWFA/NOFMA Mill Certification.
Clifton Takes Over as WFCA Board Chair
Anaheim, CA, Sept. 17, 2013 -- Janice Clifton, owner of Abbey Carpets Unlimited, in Napa, California, became chairwoman of the board of the World Floor Covering Association July 1.