Following national trends, housing inventory is up in Maryland
Maryland’s real estate market is following nationwide housing trends, with prices continuing to grow even as inventory also increases.
U.S. business inventories up 0.3 percent
U.S. businesses added to their stockpiles at a faster rate in September, though sales remained weak.
State Archives official: No broken record-keeping here
The Maryland State Archives has corrected record-keeping problems that state auditors said put artifacts at risk of being lost or stolen, the archives’ deputy director said Tuesday.
Wholesale stockpiles up in July but sales fell
WASHINGTON — U.S. wholesalers increased their stockpiles in July from June, but sales fell for a third straight month. Declining sales could force companies to cut inventories in coming months, a troubling sign that economic growth could weaken. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that wholesale stockpiles grew 0.7 percent in July, the biggest increase in […]
Wholesale stockpiles fell in June as sales plummeted
WASHINGTON — U.S. wholesale companies cut back their stockpiles in June as sales fell by the most in three years. The declines in sales and inventories could signal slower growth in the coming months. Wholesale inventories dropped 0.2 percent in June, the Commerce Department said Thursday. That’s the largest drop in nine months. Sales at […]
Pending home sales at highest level in 2 years
WASHINGTON — Americans signed more contracts to buy previously occupied homes in May, matching the fastest pace in two years. The increase suggests consumers are gaining confidence in the housing market and a modest recovery will continue. The National Association of Realtors said Wednesday that its index of sales agreements increased to 101.1 last month […]
Roomstore asks judge to allow asset sale
RICHMOND, Va. — The Roomstore Inc. plans to sell its assets at an auction, including the inventory at its stores. The Goochland County-based retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last December. It has asked a federal Bankruptcy Court judge to approve the asset sale. The auction would be held June 25. President and CEO […]
Foreclosures squeeze U.S. home prices, sales
WASHINGTON — Rising foreclosures are weighing on the U.S. housing market, reducing prices and keeping new-home sales weak. Foreclosed homes are usually sold at steep discounts, thereby lowering average prices. And by expanding the supply of low-priced previously occupied homes, foreclosures tend to limit demand for new homes. Some economists expect foreclosures to keep prices […]
Economy grew at 2 percent rate in third quarter
WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy grew more slowly over the summer than the government had earlier estimated because businesses cut back more sharply on restocking of shelves. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that the economy expanded at an annual rate of 2 percent in the July-September quarter, lower than an initial 2.5 percent estimate made […]
Manufacturing growth hits lowest level in 2 years
WASHINGTON — Manufacturers had their weakest growth in two years in July, a sign that the economy could weaken this summer. The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing executives, said Monday that its index of manufacturing activity fell to 50.9 percent in July from 55.3 percent in June. The reading was the […]
Inventories and sales both gain in February
WASHINGTON — Businesses added to their stockpiles for a 14th straight month in February while sales increased for an eighth consecutive month, signs that factories expect to see rising demand in coming months. The Commerce Department says business inventories rose 0.5 percent in February. Combined sales by manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers increased 0.2 percent during […]