Economic News

Mortgage application volume, used to gauge market interest and willingness to purchase, rose this week, pointing to a potentially healthier spring for real estate sales.

Unemployment claims may be only one piece of the employment picture, but after years of a horrible economy, Americans are clinging to hopeful signs emerging.

Builder confidence did not rise, and did not fall, so is this good news or bad news for housing? The National Association of Home Builders offers data that will explain.

Mortgage application volume in the second week of the year jumped, led by new mortgage applications, a healthy sign for housing and buyer interest.

Retail sales looked fine in December, but the holiday shopping season wasn't as good as most had expected it would be, fueled primarily by economic uncertainty.

Because of a loophole in minting laws, rumors began swirling that a trillion dollar coin would be minted to solve the debt crisis - is it true? Will it happen?

The National Association of Realtors reports good housing affordability conditions, but notes lending conditions remain tight, calling for "a more sensible lending environment."

Even accounting for the holidays, mortgage application volume rose substantially in the first week of the year, and while many readings are below pre-holiday levels, they are up compared to this time last year.