Retail sales gains in January could boost growth

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

A modestly better-than-expected report on retail sales for January could suggest stronger economic growth in coming months. But this week’s severe snowstorms will likely depress activity in February.

Sales of new homes rocketed up 27 percent in March

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

Sales of newly built homes shot up 27 percent in March — the largest monthly gain in nearly five decades — as mild weather and a lucrative tax credit pumped up demand for homes in all four regions of the country, according to federal data released Friday.

Pending Sales of Existing Homes in U.S. Rose 5.3% in March

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

More Americans signed contracts in March to buy previously owned homes before the expiration of a tax credit that helped support the housing market.

Mortgage delinquencies fall but foreclosures up sharply

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

For the first time in two years, fewer homeowners are missing mortgage payments, Treasury Department regulators reported Wednesday, but foreclosures are surging as many loan-modification efforts fail.