Market Insights

Mixed message seen in retail comps
Top-line retail same-store sales held steady with a 5.7% gain in May, but showed the effects of plans by shoppers to curb spending, according to Kantar Retail.
Readers Respond to test kits and lead rule
The following letter was a response to "EPA lead rule suffers setback:"

"There is no need for a better ‘test kit,’ as highly reliable and affordable X-Ray Fluorescence technology has been in use for decades. There are many consultants who have XRF machines, and lead inspections are inexpensive. XRF testing produces no damage, while ‘test kits’ and chip sampling involves producing widely scattered damage (12 to 15 sample locations for a typical room in a house).

LED leads efficiency train for Ace

The benefits of LED are clear as day from an operational standpoint.
Unemployment rate slips to 9.2%

A disappointing report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning showed the nation's unemployment rate slipped to 9.2% in June, up from 9.1% in May.

Only 18,000 nonfarm payroll jobs were added in June, according to the Employment Situation summary, released Friday morning.

Construction employment, which fell sharply during the 2007-to-2009 period, was "essentially unchanged" in June. It has shown little change since early 2010, the report said.
The new-product paradox

Looking for the next big thing? It’s not that easy, and here’s why.
Existing-home sales decline 3.8% in May

Existing-home sales fell 3.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.81 million in May, compared with a downwardly revised 5 million in April, according to statistics released today by the National Association of Realtors.

“Spiking gasoline prices along with widespread severe weather hurt house shopping in April, leading to soft figures for actual closings in May,” said NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun.
Holiday shoppers start earlier as waiting for Black Friday deals loses appeal

Not many consumers believe it's worth waiting until Black Friday for deals.
Confidence rises further in September

The latest data from The Conference Board reveals mixed signals from consumers.
Existing-home sales slow their roll

Sales joined other housing metrics in their late summer slump.
HBSDealer Stock Watch: Green light

The bulls were running on Wall Street, led by LL, CENT and BLDR.