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.

Help Wanted Index Up 2 Points

New York, January 28--The Conference Board’s Help-Wanted Advertising Index – a key barometer of America's job market – increased two points in December.

Dow Chemical 4Q Earnings Up 10%

Midland, MI, January 27--Dow Chemical posted a 10 percent increase in fourth-quarter net profit on Thursday, beating expectations, as it benefited from higher prices.

Hoffman Estates, IL, January 28—Sears reported an 86 percent drop in fourth-quarter net earnings Thursday after shedding its profitable credit-card unit a year earlier, its results now solely dependent on sagging retail sales.

Stark Carpet Opens in Charlotte

Charlotte, NC, January 27--Stark Carpet Corp., will open its new 30,000-square-foot Charlotte facility in February.

Shopping-Mall Vacancy Rates Decline to 5.3%

New York, NY, January 27--The nation's retailers added space in the fourth quarter, pushing down vacancy rates in malls and strip malls while driving rents almost 1% higher, according to a new survey.

Iran's Carpet Revenues Declining

London, England, January 27--Iran's carpet exports have declined significantly in the past months, said a senior Persian carpet industry official on Tuesday, expressing serious concern about the downward trend, according to Iranmania.com.

Sears Will Not Provide Forecasts in 2005

Hoffman Estates, IL, January 26--Sears, Roebuck and Co. said it would not provide a 2005 profit forecast during its upcoming earnings conference call because of its impending acquisition by Kmart Holdings Corp.

Judge Approves Armstrong Naming New CFO

Lancaster, PA, Jan. 25--A federal bankruptcy judge has allowed Armstrong World Industries to hire a new chief financial officer for more than $800,000.

Existing-Home Sales Off in December, Set Record in

Washington, DC, January 26--Existing single-family home sales surged in 2004, well above the previous record set in 2003, while the December pace declined from a monthly record in November.

Centex 3Q Earnings Up 28%

Dallas, Texas, January 26--Homebuilder Centex Corp. reported earnings in the third quarter that rose 28% to $253.8 million, or $1.91 a share, up from $198.7 million, or $1.52 a share, a year earlier.