Consumer Confidence

November 26, 2024 . The Conference Board reported that consumer confidence rose 2.1 points in November to 111.7 after jumping 10,4 points in October and falling 6.4 points in September. Chief Economist at the Conference Board, Dana Peterson, said “Consumer confidence...

Case Shiller Index of Home Prices

November 26, 2024 The seasonally adjusted Case Shiller Index of Home Prices in 20 cities declined 0.3% in September after falling 0.3% in August. It has risen 4.6% in the past year. Brian Luke, Head of Commodities, Real &P Digital Assets said, “Home price growth...

Look on the Bright Side

November 22, 2024 Every economist has attempted to predict the impact on economic growth and inflation from the long list of policies Trump is supporting.  Economic forecasting is challenging enough every  year when dealing with the usual variables — consumer...

Existing Home Sales

November 21, 2024 . Existing home sales rose 3.4% in October to 3,960 thousand after  having declined 1.3% in September.  The steady increase in jobs is boosting income, mortgage rates should fall somewhat in the months ahead, and prices should be about stable.  As a...

Housing Starts

November 19, 2024 Housing starts declined 3.1% in October to 1,311 thousand after falling 1.9% in September.  The combo of Hurricanes Helene and Milton may have reduced the September and October construction data somewhat as starts in the South fell by a total of...