Following a correction in home sales and prices in 2006, existing-home sales are expected to "coast" at roughly the same level next year, although there will be some additional decline in the new-home market, according to a forecast released today at the National Association of Realtors(R) Conference & Expo here.
Mortgage rates had an eventful week but ended up right back where they started. The average 30-year fixed rate is now 6.32 percent, little changed from 6.31 percent one week ago. According to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large lenders, the 30- year fixed rate mortgages had an average of 0.26 discount and origination points.
Running out of money is the number one retirement concern for the majority of respondents, according to a new survey by Brown & Tedstrom, Inc., a Denver-based financial planning and investment advisory firm that manages over $300 million in assets for people in or near retirement. In spite of this, the same majority is only saving 10 percent or less of their current income and can only live 10 years or less on their current savings
Sharply declining energy prices and hopes for an economic "soft-landing" sent small business owner optimism to its highest level in a year and a half, according to the latest Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index.
There's a growing consensus among economic and financial experts on the rate at which the real estate bubble will deflate. It will be a slow leak, they say. But the reality is far more chilling.
Product and technology leadership, coupled with a strong North American manufacturing presence, are keys to LG Electronics' fast growth in the United States, according to the company's North American chief executive.
Small business owners are expressing optimism for 2007, saying they expect their companies to grow at a faster clip than this year, according to results of Administaff's Business Confidence Survey released today. These executives also said they plan to increase their workforce, give raises and invest in their companies in the coming year.
Companies most attuned to security issues are those with the most exposure to a broad range of security risks, according to a survey by The Conference Board, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
According to the latest Experian-Gallup Personal Credit Index(SM) survey, one in five (19 percent) consumers report that they have had their financial information stolen including a bank or credit card number.
The continued risk of tight gas supplies and consequent price spikes over the long term are driving U.S. utilities and power generators to announce plans to build new coal and nuclear capacity, as discussed in Fitch Ratings' 'Wholesale Power Market Update.' Other factors supporting capacity additions include declining reserve margins at peak in many power regions and public policy incentives to attain greater fuel diversity.
