August’s U.S. labor market report may provide a spark of confidence

Today’s jobs market report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics may provide a much needed spark of confidence for the U.S. economy, especially its workers and

More here:
August’s U.S. labor market report may provide a spark of confidence

A Contentious Code Stands After Attempted KO Punch

Impending building code legislation in Pennsylvania has spurred not only argument, but legal action in effort to halt its implementation. In any other year news about state-mandated building codes might merely be a blip on the radar, but with a struggling economy and housing market the conflict’s broader theme of government’s seemingly simultaneous help and hindrance to business plays out as a national debate on a smaller scale. Effective January 1, 2011, Pennsylvania will require sprinkler systems in all newly-built single family homes

Read more:
A Contentious Code Stands After Attempted KO Punch

Stocks and homes turn in similar lackluster price performances over past year

According to North America’s four major stock market indices, equity prices have been moving sideways for almost a year. There was a spurt in April 2010, when 52-week highs were recorded, but there have been mainly double-digit percentage declines since then, taking index levels back to where they were in October-November 2009.

Here is the original post:
Stocks and homes turn in similar lackluster price performances over past year

Economic Expansion Stalls in July

Although most states had marginal gains in their economic activity index in July activity was weaker or steady in enough states to keep the national economic activity index unchanged.

Go here to read the rest:
Economic Expansion Stalls in July

Ranking States by Recent Economic Performance – July 2010

This chart shows the ranking of states by recent economic performance, including data on the last three months (annualized – July) and changes in economic activity for the latest three months (annualized) versus the previous year.

Follow this link:
Ranking States by Recent Economic Performance – July 2010

Lumber, Metals, and Gypsum Lead July Construction Materials Price Decline

The economic slowdown caused the second consecutive decline in the construction materials price index with a 1.1% fall in July. The largest declines were for steel, copper, lumber and gypsum products.

Read the original post:
Lumber, Metals, and Gypsum Lead July Construction Materials Price Decline

The margin of error for the U.S. economy is narrowing

U.S.

Continued here:
The margin of error for the U.S. economy is narrowing

A spate of bad news about U.S. housing but watch for American resilience

The U.S.

Housing Recovery Stalls

Housing market drivers remained generally positive through June, except for inventory for sale, but all signs point to a significant summer slowdown, probably with some decline, after the expiration of the homebuyer tax credit. This was expected and does not signal a new trend in the housing market. The summer pause will be brief — just long enough to get past the recent pull forward of homebuyers caused by the tax credit, says Reed Construction Data chief economist Jim Haughey.

Continued here:
Housing Recovery Stalls

Nonresidential: Commercial Environment Improves; Institutional Environment Worsens

Commercial construction starts and spending are still slipping but most of the decline is now over so there are spot upward spikes occurring. But none are yet sustainable at the national level.

Read more here:
Nonresidential: Commercial Environment Improves; Institutional Environment Worsens