Market Insights

Out of those who are tending to their outdoor living area, most are substantially updating their lawns.

Housing starts increased to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 717,000 in April, up 2.6% from the upwardly revised March figure, and up almost 30% from April 2011.

The April Residential Construction from the Commerce Department report showed surprisingly strong housing starts combined with a decline in housing permits -- just the opposite of the March 2012 report. In April, building permits declined 7.0% to a rate of 715,000, after hitting a three-year high in March.

BMC Stock Holdings bounced back from the day before -- it saw a +2.98% increase, up from Wednesday's -3.26%.

Several years ago, the couple down the street -- one of them a landscape architect -- decided to tear out their front lawn and put in a drought tolerant garden. This being Southern California, no one batted an eye. In fact, San Diego Home & Gardens magazine did a photo spread on the project.

An American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA) survey of its members showed significant support for Mitt Romney. The survey, part of the AHMA Industry Confidence survey, also found that most members doubt the constitutionality of the Health Care Act.

Retailers used to be able to count on Americans spending every penny of their tax refund.

Pending home sales were down slightly in February but remain notably above the pattern in the first half of last year, according to the National Association of Realtors.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, eased 0.5% to 96.5 in February from 97.0 in January but is 9.2% above February 2011 when it was 88.4. The data reflects contracts but not closings.

We asked readers for the single biggest reason to introduce new products.