efrigerators, etc. Then, when people occupy the new building, they often purchase new furniture, more appliances, and other furnishings. Consequently housing starts are a sign of employment, industrial production, and major spending on large items.The Bureau of the Census reports housing starts every month (www.census.gov/ftp/pub/indicator/www/housing.html). The rate of new housing building is affected greatly by the number of households, the growth of family income and by the level of mortgage interest rates over shorter periods. Because it is easy to delay housing until incomes and interest rates make it affordable, housing starts increase when interest rates are low and/or incomes are rising. Therefore housing starts fall when interest rates are high and incomes are falling. Increases in the amount of building licenses are a good indicator of future housing starts. *******************************************************RETAIL SALESRetail sales are the value of "business deals" at retail stores. It is measured by a survey of retail establishments. Retail sales include merchandise sold for cash or credit by businesses mainly engaged in retail trade; receipts from rental or leasing of vehicles; payments for layaway purchases. Also included are receipts from gas, liquor, tobacco, and other excise taxes, which are paid by the manufacturer or wholesaler and passed on to the retailer. Retail Sales is the first indicator of customer activity for the preceding month. They are broken down into durable and non-durable goods with principal interest on the sales of durable goods such as cars, which account for one half of all durable goods.Estimates of personal consumption money spent are the largest contributors to GDP and are measured by retail sales. This number is a great indication of economic growth for the current quarter. Retail sales exclude the purchases of services. *******************************************************UNEMPLOYMENT RA...
