Content about Economic history

September 28, 2011
Bleak long-term forecast for housing prices

Housing prices will remain depressed for the next several years and may get even worse, according to a just-released survey of economists, analysts, investors and housing experts. The survey was conducted by MacroMarkets, a firm founded by Yale University professor Robert Shiller. 


August 18, 2011
Existing-home sales decline in July

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that existing-home sales declined in July compared with June, but have improved compared with a year ago.

Total existing-home sales, which are based on transaction closings of single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, fell from a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.84 million in June to 4.67 million in July, a decrease of 3.5%. However, existing-home sales for July 2011 were 21.0% above the 3.86 million-unit pace in July 2010.

May 2, 2011
Demand to rise for outdoor power equipment

Consumer demand for lawnmowers, trimmers, edgers, rotary tillers and other outdoors power equipment will grow over the next several years as spending rebounds from the 2007 to 2009 recession, according to the Freedonia Group.

Consumer demand for lawnmowers, trimmers, edgers, rotary tillers and other outdoors power equipment will grow over the next several years as spending rebounds from the 2007 to 2009 recession, according to the Freedonia Group. 

U.S. demand for power lawn and garden equipment will increase 5.7% yearly to $10.4 billion in 2015, the Cleveland-based market research group said. Improvement in U.S. housing activity, including both new construction and the sale of existing homes, will also benefit sales. 

March 31, 2011
Stepping down: Larry Stone

If you follow Lowe’s as an investor, a supplier or a competitor, you’re familiar with Larry Stone and his role at the nation’s second largest home center chain. He’s the man who runs the stores, and it’s his North Carolinian accent that — for the past 10 years, at least — has grown almost inseparable from the company’s image.


March 30, 2011
In Canada, concern over housing market

Canadian economists have expressed concerns about a correction in the housing market north of the U.S. border, where record borrowing, low interest rates and eager home buyers have created a building boom over the last several years.

October 24, 2010
September existing-home sales show another strong gain

According to the National Association of Realtors, the 10% increase in existing-home sales for September...

December 30, 2008
Housing prices worsen

Prices of new homes across the country continue to slide, with record drops in 14...

December 17, 2008
In Canada, concern over housing

After years of robust growth, the Canadian housing market has cooled off significantly, new data...

December 14, 2008
Post election reaction

It’s the housing market, stupid....

November 18, 2008
HCN Stock Index drops 6.5 percent

The Home Channel News Stock Index dropped 6.42 percent on Wednesday, to close at 557.69....

November 13, 2008
NLBMDA calls for housing stimulus

The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association is seeking a comprehensive plan to reduce...

October 22, 2008
Stock cuts 86 locations

The restructuring is a result of the declining housing market and followed Wolseley’s “fundamental review”...

October 19, 2008
Laughing in the aisles? Not hardly

When Ivy Zelman, the polished and bearish housing industry analyst from Zelman & Associates, finished...

October 6, 2008
Wall Street feels pain on Tuesday

Stocks drop on Tuesday. Wall Street feels pain....

October 1, 2008
B&Q launches ‘Home Improvement Qualification’

Employees will need to progress through four units of study before qualifying for certification....

September 30, 2008
Companies, professional groups urge Congress to pass rescue plan

Weyerhaeuser, the NLBMDA and the NAHB all had words for Congress on the financial rescue...

September 25, 2008
Existing-home sales slid further last month

Sales in August reflected higher interest rates, which have lowered following the government takeover of...

September 22, 2008
At Lennar, sales drop but losses narrow

The builder also reduced debt from its failed joint-venture agreements, another important indicator of the...

September 21, 2008
Government bailout welcomed by builders

It was the blockbuster news of the month, perhaps the year: On Sept. 7, the...

September 7, 2008
Economic data: not quite a turnaround

Prices of single-family homes across the United States are still falling, but the declines are...

August 26, 2008
Silver linings seen in housing statistics

U.S. home prices declined at a slower pace in June, the fourth straight month in...

June 24, 2008
New home sales, home prices and consumer confidence down

Sales of new homes fell 2.5 percent to 512,000 units in May amidst reports of...

June 2, 2008
Toll Brothers posts $93.7 million loss

Still, the home builder -- one of the largest in the United States -- beat...

April 27, 2008
Wal-Mart Canada pays out record bonuses

According to the retailer, “this represents the company's greatest bonus payout in its 14-year history.”...

April 14, 2008
NAHB economist breaks out the ‘R’ word

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) chief economist said the economy is in a...