Fed Minutes Reveal Rates Likely to Keep Rising
Washington, January 5--At the Fed's Dec. 14 meeting, policymakers boosted the federal funds rate by one-quarter percentage point, marking the fifth increase in this key rate in 2004.
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.
3M Contributes $1.5M to Tsunami Relief Efforts
St. Paul MN, January 5--3M announced it will donate $1.5 million to help with the relief efforts in the Southern Asian countries devastated by the earthquake and tsunamis.
Asian Producers: Equal Quality at One-Third the Pr
Beijing, China, January 4--Suppliers in mainland China, Taiwan and India feel their products now take on quality-conscious markets in Europe and North America.
Update: Online Holiday Purchases Up 25%
New York, NY, January 4--The latest holiday eSpending Report from Goldman, Sachs & Co., Harris Interactive, and Nielsen//NetRatings revealed that online shoppers in the U.S. spent $23.2 billion during the 2004 holiday season, excluding travel.
ASCR 2005 Convention Features Cutting Edge Speaker
Millersville, MD, January 4--Critical issues facing owners and managers of cleaning and restoration firms will be under the microscope at the 60th annual convention of the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration.
Chain Stores Sales Up Last Week
New York, NY, January 4--Chain store retail sales rose a bit in the latest week due to post-Christmas shopping, a report said on Tuesday.
VPI Sells Last Operating Business
Sheboygan, WI, January 4--VPI L.L.C. said Monday that it has sold its floor products division -- its last remaining operating unit -- to a group that includes the division's general manager and former management of an Iowa spice company.
Pace of Manufacturing Growth Accelerates
Tempe, AZ, January 4--The pace of growth at U.S. factories picked up in December, boosted by an increase in new orders and despite a decline in employment, a report showed on Monday.
Dixie Doubled its Share Value in 2004
Chattanooga, TN, January 4—-The Dixie Group, a traditional, "old economy" Chattanooga-based company doubled its stock value in 2004 for the second consecutive year, according to the Chattanooga Times/Free Press.
William Lyon Homes 4Q New Orders Off 35%
Newport Beach, CA, January 4--William Lyon Homes, a builder of single-family homes in California, Arizona and Nevada, on Monday said new home orders fell 35 percent for the fourth quarter, hurt by a lack of available product and fewer sales locations.