Bloomberg: Mortgage Rates in U.S. Tumble to Lowest in More Than 50 Years

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Mortgage Rates in U.S. Tumble to Lowest in More Than 50 Years
By Prashant Gopal - Aug 18, 2011 08:00 AM

U.S. mortgage rates fell to the lowest in more than half a century as concern that the global economic recovery is faltering spurred demand for bonds that guide home loans, according to Freddie Mac.

CNBC: Home Sales Fall on Credit, Cancellations, Confidence

Home Sales Fall on Credit, Cancellations, Confidence
Published: Thursday, 18 Aug 2011 | 10:51 AM ET
By: Diana Olick
CNBC Real Estate Reporter

July's existing home sales, which represent contract closings, came in well below expectations of a two to three percent gain, falling 3.5 percent month to month.

CNBC: Home Sales Dropped 3.5 Percent in July, Hit 2011 Low

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.

Bloomberg: Existing Home Sales in U.S. Fell in July

Related News: Economy, Real Estate, U.S.
U.S. Existing Home Sales Unexpectedly Decreased in July
By Alex Kowalski - Aug 18, 2011 06:25 AM

Sales of U.S. previously owned homes unexpectedly dropped in July, reflecting an increase in contract cancellations due to strict lending rules and low appraisals.

Bloomberg: Jobless Claims in U.S. Top Forecast

Related News: Economy, U.S.
Jobless Claims in U.S. Top Forecast
By Shobhana Chandra - Aug 18, 2011 04:43 AM

More Americans than forecast filed applications for unemployment benefits last week, signaling the labor market is struggling two years into the economic recovery.

CNBC: Morgan Stanley Cuts 2011 Global Growth Forecast

Morgan Stanley Cuts 2011 Global Growth Forecast
Published: Thursday, 18 Aug 2011 | 6:10 AM ET
By: Reuters

Morgan Stanley slashed its global growth forecast for 2011 and 2012, saying the U.S. and the euro zone were "dangerously close to a recession", and criticized policymakers in Washington and Europe for not acting more decisively to contain the sovereign debt crisis.

Fortune: Anatomy of a soft economy

Anatomy of a soft economy
August 18, 2011: 5:00 AM ET

It's been a tough slog coming out of the Great Recession. As for a double dip, consider this: We've had only three in 160 years. Here's a look at how this recovery compares with recessions past.

Fortune: American Idiots: How Washington is destroying the economy

American Idiots: How Washington is destroying the economy
By Allan Sloan, senior editor-at-large August 18, 2011: 5:00 AM ET

What's ailing us? It's not just unemployment. It's not just Europe's debt woes. And, no, it's not Wall Street this time. It's the takeover of the economic debate by fanatics who are up to no good. Fix that -- and maybe you fix the economy.

Bloomberg: Homebuilding in U.S. Probably Fell as Sales Dropped, Foreclosures Climbed

Related News: Bloomberg, U.S., Real Estate, Economy, Currencies
Homebuilding in U.S. Probably Fell as Sales Dropped, Foreclosures Climbed
By Shobhana Chandra - Aug 16, 2011 04:00 AM GMT

Builders probably began work on fewer houses in July, showing residential real estate is failing to contribute to U.S. growth two years into an economic recovery, economists said before a report today.

CNNMoney: Europe's economy: Truly awful or just bad?

Europe's economy: Truly awful or just bad?
Ben Rooney @CNNMoney August 15, 2011: 4:40 PM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- As officials in Europe struggle to contain the debt crisis roiling financial markets around the world, economic growth appears to be slowing significantly across the euro zone.