Market Insights

After four months of declining numbers, the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index improved in July to 65.9, up from 62.7 in June.

A year ago, the July 2011 Consumer Confidence Index stood at 59.2.

Consumer confidence regained much of its lost momentum in March, rising back over the 100 mark after backtracking in February.

The Pending Home Sales Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) rose in October on both a month-to-month and year-over-year basis.

The forward-looking indicator based on contract signings jumped 10.4% to an index of 93.3 in October, compared with a reading of 84.5 in September. The latest figure is up 9.2% compared with October 2010.

A harsh winter is the likely culprit for a decline in a popular measure of the remodeling market.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s first-quarter 2014 Remodeling Business Pulse data of current and future remodeling business conditions show current condition ratings fell significantly in March.

A new study from Frost & Sullivan is highlighting significant growth opportunity in the pet food market -- provided manufacturers understand how to capitalize on it.

The National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) reported a drop to 41.7 in the third quarter from 43.9 in the second quarter, after posting a four-year high of 46.5 in the first quarter. An RMI below 50 indicates that more remodelers report that market activity is declining than report that it is increasing.

Zillow's real estate analysis finds lack of supply drives prices higher.

The world's number-two home improvement retailer kept pace with number one's strong earnings report.