Retailers Sales Up in May
New York, NY, June 2, 2006--Defying rising gasoline and utility prices and extending their April shopping spree, consumers rushed to shopping centers and malls in May.
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.
Hakatai Intros Aventurine Series
Ashland, OR, June 2, 2006--Hakatai Enterprises Inc., importer and distributor of glass mosaic tile, introduced Aventurine Series ¾” x ¾” glass tile.
StarNet Announces Design Award Winners
Ridgefield, CT, June 2, 2006--StarNet Commercial Flooring Cooperative announced its eighth Annual Design Award recipients at its recent annual meeting in Bal Harbour, Florida.
1Q Productivity Revised Up
Washington, DC, June 1, 2006--Productivity rose at an annual rate of 3.7% in the first quarter, stronger than the 3.2% gain reported earlier, the Labor Department said Thursday.
European Economy in Solid Turnaround
New York, NY, June 1, 2006--For the first time in six years, the gap between real Gross Domestic Product growth in the euro area and real GDP growth in the U.S. is expected to narrow in 2006.
Initial Jobless Claims Rise
Washington., DC, June 1, 2006--Initial claims for unemployment benefits rose last week to the highest level since October, the Labor Department reported Thursday.
BASF to Increase Styrene-Butadiene Latex Prices
Charlotte, NC., June 1, 2006 -- Effective June 19, 2006, or as contracts allow, BASF will raise prices by three cents per dry pound in the United States and Canada on all Styrofan carboxylated styrene-butadiene emulsion polymer products.
Mortgage Application Volume Declines in Latest Sur
Washington, DC, May 31, 2006--The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending May 26.
Hovnanian 2Q Earnings Off
Red Bank, NJ, May 31, 2006—Home builder Hovnanian Enterprises reported earnings for its fiscal second quarter that fell 2.3% from the year-earlier period.
Canada's Q1 GDP Up 3.8%
Ottawa, Ontario, May 31, 2006--Canada's economy powered ahead by a stronger-than-expected 3.8 percent on an annualized basis in the first quarter, thanks to a rebound in housing investment and a pick-up consumer spending.