Superstorm Sandy blew a hole not in the nation├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ós labor market, but in economists├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ó crystal balls as the economy added 146,000 jobs and the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent--the lowest level since December 2008--the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.
Read More »Sandy Rains on October Income, Spending
Consumer spending fell $20.2 billion in October as personal income remained relatively flat, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported Friday. The report was weaker than the 0.3 percent growth in income and 0.1 percent growth in spending economists had expected. While the report reflects a weak beginning to the fourth quarter, the disappointing growth largely comes from work interruptions brought by superstorm Sandy, which impacted 24 states, by BEA's estimation.
Read More »GDP Growth for Q3 Revised to 2.7%
Real GDP growth for the third quarter was revised up significantly, reaching a 2.7 percent annualized growth, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported Thursday. Economists had forecast a 2.8 percent growth rate from the first estimate of 2.0 percent reported last month. Residential fixed investment accounted for $12.2 billion in the third quarter, according to the revised report, virtually unchanged from the $12.3 billion in the advance report of the third-quarter GDP increase and up from the $7.2 contribution in the second quarter.
Read More »Survey: Americans Feel Less Financially Secure Than a Year Ago
Consumer sentiment regarding personal finances was down in November, indicating Americans foster a more negative perception about their own finances than they did last year, according to Bankrate's Financial Security Index. Bankrate measures financial security in five categories: debt, net worth, savings, job security, and overall financial situation. Net worth was the one category in which Americans seem to feel somewhat better than they did last year.
Read More »Survey: Consumer Confidence Reaches Highest Level in Nearly 5 Years
After reaching a year-to-date high in October, consumer confidence continued to climb in November, according to The Conference Board.
Read More »Consumer Confidence Hits Snag Amid Budget Concerns
Consumer confidence hit the wall in November as Americans sweat the rapidly approaching fiscal cliff, according to a survey.
Read More »Housing Starts, Completions Rise in October as Permits Dip
Housing starts rose 3.6 percent in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 894,000--the highest level since July 2008--but permits for new residential construction fell, the Census Bureau and Department of Housing and Urban Development reported jointly Tuesday. Permits and starts for September were revised lower, making the month-over-month percentage growth for starts stronger. Permits in October were down 2.7 percent from September to 866,000.
Read More »Builder Confidence Surges In November
Builder confidence continued its march to "break-even," with the Housing Market Index (HMI) climbing five points in November to 46.
Read More »Survey: Less than Half of Americans Think Homeownership is Attainable
According to new COUNTRY Financial Security Index survey, a vast majority--88 percent--of respondents think owning their home is important. However, only 45 percent say they think homeownership is feasible for middle-income households. Part of the pessimism regarding respondents' ability to purchase a home may stem from concerns about their savings and the job market. According to the survey, 65 percent of consumers say they wouldn't be able to make mortgage payments after nine months if they lost their job.
Read More »Clear Capital: Obama Must Take Lead in Housing Recovery
Now that Obama has won a second term, his administration is charged with leading phase two of the housing recovery.
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