U.S. & China Sign Phase One of Trade Deal
Washington, DC, January 16, 2020-The U.S. and China signed a trade deal on January 15 easing the tension between the two counties, reports the Wall Street Journal.
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.
Builder Confidence Rises One Point to 75 in January
Washington, DC, January 16, 2020—Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes edged one point lower to 75 in January, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI).
December Retail Sales Up 5.8% YOY
Washington, DC, January 16, 2020-Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for December 2019 were $529.6 billion, an increase of 0.3% from the previous month, and 5.8% above December 2018, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Renovation Spending Expected to Rise 1.5% in '20, Says Harvard Study
Cambridge, MA, January 16, 2020-National spending for improvements and repairs on owner-occupied homes is expected to rise only modestly this year, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) released by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.
Imported Prices Up 0.3% in December
Washington, DC, January 16, 2020—Prices for U.S. imports advanced 0.3% in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported, after ticking up 0.1% the previous month.
NAFCD to Host Distributor Lounge Again at TISE 2020
Chicago, TN, January 16, 2020—The North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD) and The International Surface Event (TISE) have extended their partnership in 2020.
Distrib. Trade Sales & Manu. Shipments Up 0.7% in November
Washington, DC, January 16, 2020—The combined value of distributive trade sales and manufacturers’ shipments for November was estimated at $1,465.7 billion, up 0.7% from October 2019 and was up 1.0% from November 2018, according the U.S. Census Bureau.
Mortgage Applications Jump 30.2% in Early January
Washington, DC, January 15, 2020—Mortgage applications increased 30.2% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending January 10, 2020.
Producer Prices Inched Up in December
Washington, DC, January 15, 2020—The Producer Price Index for final demand edged up 0.1% in December, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
Metroflor to Host Fundraiser Concert in Cartersville, Georgia
Calhoun, GA, January 15, 2020—Halstead/Metroflor’s Addiction Crisis charity (HMAC) will host a night of musical entertainment in Cartersville, Georgia to raise funds to combat the addiction epidemic affecting addicts and their families nationwide.