Economy in Brief: 2009

Sales of new single-family homes during April showed further signs of forming a bottom after having declined by more than three-quarters since 2005. Sales were stable at 352,000 units (AR) after a downwardly revised March decline. [...]

Perhaps the factory sector's distress is nearing its end. At least some moderation of last year's woes was evident in the latest report of durable goods orders. During April orders rose 1.9% following a 2.1% March decline which was [...]

The French consumer is gradually beginning to feel better. At a value of -40, confidence is up by a tick in May following a one point rising trends that is in place for several months. The index is still low in the bottom 13 [...]

Perhaps consumer spending is holding together after an earlier indication of retrenchment. According to the International Council of Shopping Centers-Goldman Sachs Index, store sales last week recovered most of the prior week's [...]

Both home sales and home prices rose slightly last month, according to the National Association of Realtors. The overriding message, however, was that lower prices can spur sales. Sales of existing homes rose 2.9% last month to 4.68M [...]

The news that the U.S. economy, notably the consumer, is recovering from the Winter doldrums has given further life to energy prices. Suspecting that a more confident consumer will drive further, regular gasoline prices last week [...]

Both home sales and home prices rose slightly last month, according to the National Association of Realtors. The overriding message, however, was that lower prices can spur sales. Sales of existing homes rose 2.9% last month to 4.68M [...]

Consumers' attitudes are rising even further on expectations that the worst of the recession has passed. The May index of consumer confidence, reported by the Conference Board, improved for the third consecutive month and the latest [...]