Job Market Still Tight
New York, NY, Jan. 13-- The nation's unemployment rate held at 6% in December, according to the Labor Department, as employers cut over 101,000 positions, the sharpest decline in 10 months.
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.
Mortgage Rates Up Slightly
Washington, DC, Jan. 10--Rates on 30 year mortgages edged up this week after dropping to a new low last week. But rates are still sufficiently low to be attractive to house hunters thinking about buying a home and people mulling refinancing the home that
QEP’s Sales Jump
Boca Raton, FL, Jan. 9--Q.E.P. Co., a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of a broad line of specialty tools and flooring related products, had net sales its fiscal 2003 third quarter ended November 30 grew 21% versus the comparable prior year period,
Solutia Expects Lower Earnings
St. Louis, MO, Jan. 9--Solutia expects fourth quarter earnings to be down approximately $.20 per share, including a net charge of approximately $.04 per share related to Solutia's interest in the Flexsys rubber chemicals joint venture.
Employee Confidence Down
Washington, DC, Jan. 10--Employee confidence declined in December to 66 as employees expressed decreasing confidence in the U.S. job market.
WFCA Adds One To Hall of Fame
Anaheim, CA, Jan. 8—The late Shirley J. Lorberbaum has been voted into the World Floor Covering Association Industry Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be held on January 30 at Surfaces in Las Vegas.
Carpet Recycling Europe to Cease Operations
Aachen, Germany, Jan. 7--The board and shareholders Of Carpet Recycling Europe have decided to close the company and cease operations.
CarpetMax Canada Changes Name
Manchester, NH , Jan. 3--Following a unanimous decision endorsed by members of CarpetMax Canada, the floorcovering association has officially changed its name to Flooring Canada.
J.C. Penney Sales On Track
New York, Jan. 6-- J.C. Penney expects to meet its January sales goals at stores open a least a year. The firm had expected flat to slightly increased sales.
Columbia to Purchase Weyerhaeuser Underlayment Pla
Portland, OR, Dec. 30--Columbia Forest Products plans to purchase the Nipigon Multiply hardwood plywood underlayment operation in Ontario, Canada from Weyerhaeuser Company Limited.