Land for real estate construction harder to find - 2006-01-13
Good land is getting more difficult to find, big home builders will get larger and consolidation will continue in the home-building industry, declared a report released this week by McGraw-Hill Construction and Deloitte & Touche LLP's real estate industry group. The report also revealed that high-end kitchen materials, tile flooring and wood flooring are a rapid growing trend in new home construction.
Read the full story at Inman.com

U.S. Economy: Retail Sales Rise Less Than Forecast in December - 2006-01-13
U.S. retail sales climbed less than forecasted in December, limited by a surge in gasoline costs that boosted wholesale prices and lowered growth at the end of last year. More expensive gasoline prices and the cost of keeping warm this winter may have convinced consumers to keep a lid on holiday gift giving, economists said.
Read the full story at Bloomberg