Reading Real Estate Tea Leaves: What Housing Market Data Shows
Buying a house is the ultimate indicator of consumer confidence; building more of them is an early hint at an economic upturn. So what are the housing reports pointing to now?
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U.S. Housing Starts Plummet in April, But Permits Surge
Ground-breaking for new U.S. homes plummeted more than expected in April from an almost five-year high.
U.S. Homebuilders' Confidence Climbs in May
Confidence among U.S. homebuilders rebounded in May, reflecting improved sales trends during the spring home-selling season.
April Retail Sales Unexpectedly Rise
U.S. retail sales unexpectedly rose in April as households bought automobiles, building materials and a range of other goods, pointing to underlying strength in the economy.
Surge in New-Home Sales Signals Reviving Housing Market
Sales of new homes rebounded in March to the second fastest sales pace in three years, adding evidence of a sustained housing recovery.
Caterpillar Forecasts Smaller Profit on Mining Slowdown
Caterpillar says its first-quarter net income shrank and it predicted smaller 2013 sales and profits because its mining business is slowing down.
Strong Housing and Auto Sales Boost U.S. Economy, Fed Says
A strengthening housing recovery and robust auto sales contributed to moderate growth across the U.S. in late February and March, according to a Federal Reserve survey.
Housing Starts Rise to Highest Level in Nearly 5 Years
U.S. builders started more houses and apartments in February and obtained permits for future construction at the fastest pace in nearly five years, a new report shows.
Six Upbeat Money Trends of 2012
Between the elections, the fiscal cliff, and the endless battles over taxes, expenditures, and budget issues both big and small, 2012 has been a difficult year. But, amid all the sound and fury, there have also been promising developments on the financial front. Here's a look at a few of our favorite money stories of this year.
Can Dubai Revive Its Crazy Mega-Construction Boom?
Before the Great Recession, Dubai built some truly flamboyant real estate projects, including the world's tallest buliding and an archipelago of man-made islands. Now, the Emirate wants to return to the days of such massive projects, but this time around, financing will be much harder to come by.
U.S. Housing Construction Jumps to 4-Year High
U.S. builders started construction on homes in September at the fastest rate since July 2008, a further indication that the housing recovery is strengthening and could help the economy grow.
Builders Start More Single-Family Homes; Permit Requests Surge
U.S. builders started work on more single-family homes in May and requested the most permits to build homes and apartments in three and a half years. The increase suggests the housing market is slowly recovering even as other areas of the economy have weakened.
Housing Starts Surge, but Level Remains Low
A surge in apartment construction gave builders more work in November, but 2011 is still shaping up to be one of the worst years in history for homebuilders.
Why Are LEGOs So Expensive?
It's a question that echoes across the Internet, on blogs and message boards, and in the content of a specialty wiki called Brickipedia: "Why are Legos so expensive?" Our search for an answer starts in Denmark, and ends in the playrooms of countless children around the world.
Saudi Prince to Build World's Tallest Tower
Saudi Arabia's Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is a rich investor who holds stock in many of the world's largest companies, including Citigroup and News Corp. He's just announced his next investment: the world's largest tower.