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Home prices rose in July in 20 major US cities

Housing Market

Home prices kept rising in July across the United States, buoyed by greater sales and fewer foreclosures. National home prices increased 1.2 percent in July, compared to the same month last year, according to the Standard & Poor's/Case Shiller index released Tuesday. That's the second straight year-over-year gain after two years without one.

 

Retail Sales in US Rose 0.9% in August on Auto Demand

Retail Sales

Retail sales in the U.S. increased in August by the most in six months, boosted by demand for automobiles along with higher gasoline prices that left consumers with less to spend on other goods. The 0.9 percent gain followed a revised 0.6 percent advance in July that was smaller than initially reported, the Commerce Department said today in Washington. The median forecast of 84 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for an increase of 0.8 percent. Sales slowed at department stores, apparel retailers and electronics outlets.

 

Back-to-school gives retailers a good August

Back-to-School Sales

Most retailers, including Costco Wholesale Corp and Limited Brands Inc , posted better-than-expected sales gains at existing stores in August, in what is expected to be a healthy month as parents and students wrapped up back-to-school purchases.

 

Cars, Planes Push Up Durable Goods

Orders for long-lasting goods posted the strongest gain of the year in July due to demand for cars and airplanes, though weakness continued outside the transportation sector.

 

Consumer sentiment at three-month high in early August

Consumer Sentiment

U.S. consumer sentiment improved in early August to the highest in three months as sales at retailers and low mortgage rates spurred Americans to boost their buying plans, a survey showed on Friday.

 

Consumer inflation muted, supports more Fed easing

Consumer prices were flat in July for a second straight month and the year-over-year increase was the smallest in more than 1-1/2 years, giving the Federal Reserve room for further monetary easing to tackle stubbornly high unemployment.

 

US retail sales rose solid 0.8 percent in July

Retail Sales

Americans boosted their spending at retail businesses in July by the largest amount in five months, a surge that could help lift the economy out from its slump. From cars, electronics and sporting goods to furniture, building supplies and garden equipment, every major category of spending rose last month. It was a heartening start to the second half of the year after consumers had reduced their retail spending in each month of the April-June quarter.

 

Factory orders rise more than expected in May

New orders for U.S. factory goods rose more than expected in May, a hopeful sign for U.S. manufacturers who have appeared more vulnerable to Europe's festering debt crisis.

 

February US adjusted home prices up 1st time in 10 months: S&P

Housing Market

Single-family home prices rose for the first time in 10 months, in an encouraging sign the battered sector is starting to stabilize, a closely watched survey said on Tuesday.

 

Manufacturing sector picks up in March: ISM

The pace of growth in the manufacturing sector picked up a tad in March, while new orders dipped modestly, according to an industry report released on Mon day.

 

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