The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo housing market index rose two points in February to 17. It was the first gain in five months. Economists had anticipated a dip to 14. An index reading below 50 indicates negative sentiment about the housing market. The combined construction of new single-family homes and apartments in January…

Until you have learned to be tolerant with those who do not always agree with you; until you have cultivated the habit of saying some kind word of those whom you do not admire; until you have formed the habit of looking for the good instead of the bad there is in others, you will…

_______________________________ Retail sales rose 0.5% in January, following a revised 0.1% decrease in December. Economists had anticipated retail sales to rise 0.3% in January. On a year-over-year basis, retail sales increased 4.7%. Total business inventories unexpectedly fell 0.2% in December due to stronger than anticipated sales. Inventories had risen 0.4% in both November and October….

While one in seven Americans has at least 10 credit cards, the average is four, according to a report from Experian. Usage on credit cards has dropped dramatically in the last two years as financially constrained consumers have reduced spending and begun paying off debt. The national average interest rate on credit cards as of…

The Institute for Supply Management reported that the monthly index of manufacturing activity rose to 58.4 in January after reaching 54.9 in December. It was the sixth straight month of expansion and the fastest pace of growth since August 2004. A reading above 50 signals expansion. The Commerce Department reported that total construction spending fell…

The Commerce Department announced that gross domestic product — the total output of goods and services produced in the U.S. — increased at an annual rate of 5.7% in the fourth quarter of 2009. It was the second consecutive quarter of growth and the fastest pace since the third quarter of 2003. The Standard &…