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Posted on September 10, 2015
The U.S. economy is getting a boost from stronger construction activity while manufacturers are struggling from a stronger dollar that hurts the export business. Tight labor markets continue to drive gains in the housing sector. Outlays for residential and nonresidential projects were up for the eight straight months, and climbed 0.7% in July, the Commerce[...]
Posted on August 31, 2015
If you have kids who are just about to start college, you may have realized that building a solid credit history is the least of their concerns. Most young adults do not know how credit works, or how important their credit score is. A good credit score not only helps get better rates when taking [...]
Posted on August 28, 2015
Nothing seems to bother the U.S. housing market these days – not the recent stock market turbulence, instability in China nor concerns about the Federal Reserves' rate hike expected in the coming months. Home sales are rebounding, builder sentiments are near to decade highs, and consumer confidence is at a seven-month high. "It is hard [...]
Posted on August 24, 2015
Americans are doing the best job in eight years paying their mortgages, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The U.S. mortgage delinquency rate fell to an eight-year low in the second quarter of 2015. Strengthening job markets and rising home prices helped borrowers, who were struggling, to sell property. The mortgage delinquency rate, which include[...]
Posted on August 12, 2015
Many unbanked and underbanked consumers don't have credit cards and other traditional loans. Others operate on a cash-basis only and don't carry debt at all. This happens despite there being plenty of financially responsible consumers who pay their bills on time. They just don't have a traditional credit history, and they should be given the[...]
Posted on August 4, 2015
The U.S. credit card market has made a comeback alongside the momentum of the U.S. economy. Last quarter, credit card loans touched their highest level in over five years on strong job growth and improving income levels. After mortgage and student loans, credit card debt is the third largest source of consumer borrowings. Overall, the [...]
Posted on July 31, 2015
U.S. economic growth strengthened in the second quarter of 2015, although slower than anticipated, after a soft first quarter. The Gross Domestic Product, the value of total production, grew at a 2.3% annual rate from April to June, the Commerce Department said on Thursday. The gain in GDP growth was, however, lower than the market [...]
Posted on July 30, 2015
Pending home sales faltered in June after gaining for the last five consecutive months. Signed contracts to buy existing homes that hit a 9-year high in May, fell to their lowest since March. The Pending Home Sales Index, a leading indicator of the housing market which measures housing contract activity, unexpectedly slipped 1.8% to 110.3[...]
Posted on July 29, 2015
Consumer confidence declined sharply in July, despite a decent rise in income levels and lower oil prices which boosts consumer's purchasing power. The drop in sentiments was led by a less optimistic outlook for the labor market, although the current conditions are favorable. The headline Index had earlier gained in June. Consumer’s short-term expectations weakened [...]
Posted on July 28, 2015
Orders for durable goods, which include heavy and bulky goods such as trains, planes and automobiles, increased more than expected in June. The gain in durable goods orders was the largest since March, driven by a surge in demand for commercial aircraft. The growth in core orders, a gauge of the level of business activities [...]