Leading Indicators Off in July
New York, August 19--A closely watched measure of future economic activity fell in July for the second consecutive month, reinforcing evidence that the nation's financial recovery is slackening.
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.
Half of U.S. Web Users Now on Broadband
New York, August 19-- More than half of all U.S. residential Internet users reached the Web via fast broadband connections in July, outpacing use of slower, dial-up connections for the first time, market researcher Nielsen//NetRatings said on Wednesday.
Hooker Furniture Closes Plant
Martinsville, VA, August 19--Major furniture manufacturer and importer Hooker Furniture, with 2003 net sales of $309 million, announced today that it will close its Maiden, N.C. plant by late October 2004.
Lumber Prices Reach 10 Year High
Chicago, August 19 - Lumber prices rose to the highest level in 10 years Wednesday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Teragren Unifies Brand Strategy
Bainbridge Island, WA, August 18 - Teragren LLC, a leading manufacturer of bamboo hardwood flooring, has consolidated its two bamboo brands, Teragren and TimberGrass, into one - Teragren.
Tarkett Commercial Makes Appearance at the Olympic
Houston, TX, August 18--To accommodate more than 10,500 Olympic athletes in Athens new athletic facilities and an Olympic Village needed to be constructed before the opening ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics, Tarkett Commercial supplied flooring for m
Housing Starts Jump 8.3% in July
Washington, August 17— Housing starts surged by a larger-than-expected 8.3% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.978 million in July, according to the Commerce Department.
Home Depot 2Q EPS Up 25%, Beat Estimates
Atlanta, GA, August 17--Home Depot reported record second quarter net earnings of $1.5 billion, $0.70 per diluted share, up 25 percent, for second quarter fiscal 2004.
Industrial Production Up 0.4% in July
Washington, DC, August 17--Output of the nation's factories, mines and utilities rose in July, but June's losses were revised downward, offsetting any gains to the level of production, the Federal Reserve said Tuesday.
BASF Evaluates Impact of Soaring Benzene Costs
Ludwigshafen, Germany August 17-- BASF AG says it will turn away back business if it cannot raise prices for its styrene-based and nylon products because of the soaring price of benzene, the main feedstock for styrene and caprolactam.