_Economy and Finance

USA Today Housing starts drop in February, but building permits rise By Derek Kravitz, Associated Press WASHINGTON – U.S. builders are betting that the housing market is finally on the path back to health.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/story/2012-02-27/business-economists-forecast/53268208/1 Business economists see continued slow growth overall By Samantha Bomkamp, Associated Press NEW YORK – Economists are increasingly confident that some pillars of the U.S. economy will improve this year, but they remain cautious in their expectations on the overall pace of economic growth.

USATODAYmoney: Nov. home sales up 4%, but earlier sales revised down http://t.co/ON9gZVFG Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/USATODAYmoney/status/149519203878187008 Nov. home sales up 4%, but earlier sales revised down By Derek Kravitz, Associated Press WASHINGTON – The number of Americans who bought previously occupied homes rose last month. But the National Association of Realtors says it overstated about 3.5 million sales during and after the Great Recession, showing the housing market remains much weaker than previously thought.

USATODAYmoney: Europe hopes, housing starts lift stocks http://t.co/vF0UJARM Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/USATODAYmoney/status/149228143465598976 Europe hopes, strong housing starts lift stocks By Matthew Craft, Associated Press NEW YORK – The Dow Jones industrial average surged 337 points following encouraging signs out of Europe and a jump in apartment construction in the U.S. It was the best day for U.S. stocks this month.

Homebuying contracts hit highest level in a year in Oct. By Derek Kravitz, Associated Press 2011.11.30 01:14 PM WASHINGTON – The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes jumped in October to the highest level in a year. But the gain follows three months of declines and isn't enough to signal a housing recovery.

From http://www.usatoday.com/ Economists forecast modest growth for next year By Martin Crutsinger, Associated Press The U.S. economy will muddle through the next year without a recession, but growth will be too weak to make much of a dent in the unemployment rate, according to the latest nationwide survey of economic forecasters.

Homebuilders feel less pessimistic in November By Derek Kravitz, Associated Press 2011.11.16 10:49 AM WASHINGTON – Homebuilders are feeling a little less pessimistic about the struggling housing market. But their mood hasn't changed enough to signal a recovery anytime soon.

Home Sales Dropped 3.5 Percent in July, Hit 2011 Low Published: Thursday, 18 Aug 2011 | 10:11 AM ET By: Associated Press The number of people who bought previously occupied homes plunged in July. The third decline in four months suggests the depressed housing market won't help the U.S. economy recover this year.