Month: February 2013

Construction Employment

02/28/2013

Despite a boom in residential construction activity, construction employment growth has remained lackluster and is up just 100,000 from the trough in early 2011. This is because residential building declined by more than residential employment resulting in value added/worker falling…

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Building Stock

02/27/2013

In another sign of good news for home building, TRI Pointe Homes’ IPO was the sector’s first since 2004. The firm raised $233 million selling 13.7 shares at $17 on 1/31/13. Today’s close, $18.45. And, it looks like Taylor Morrison…

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Mortgage Monopoly

02/26/2013

During the 1990s, the percentage of new mortgages guaranteed by Fannie and Freddie averaged about 44% and that number rises to about 55% if you add FHA and VA loans. During 2005 and 2006, those numbers fell to historic lows…

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Sequester Symptoms

02/25/2013

Despite sequestration calling for $110 billion in annual cuts, the full impact will not be felt until after 2015. Outlays will be reduced by $44 billion in FY 2013, by $89 billion in 2014, and $102 billion in 2015. Full…

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Head Banger

02/22/2013

The Friday File: Being required to wear a bicycle helmet reduces head injuries for 5-19 year olds by 13%. But, and there’s always a but, it also reduces non-head bicycle injuries by 9%, and results in an 11% increase in…

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Government Diversion

02/21/2013

Federal government spending has steadily increased from 14% of GDP in 1950 to about 25% today. Because of this, legislators and bureaucrats are increasingly lobbied in an effort to have them bestow government largess on one group or another. Unfortunately,…

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You Say Tomato I Say To-mah-to

02/20/2013

Recently there’s been talk of currency wars. If a nation prints money to lower interest rates to promote growth and happens to weaken its currency, it’s OK. But if a country prints money to lower interest rates to weaken its…

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Ticket to Ride

02/19/2013

Despite having 26% of the US Market, the American Airlines-US Airways merger will proceed. That said, it will mean higher fares between smaller cities, reduced service on unprofitable routes and possibly fewer hubs. The key to minimizing harm to consumers…

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Buy Phone

02/15/2013

The Friday file: When buying stuff over the phone, men stay on the phone for 7 minutes and 23 seconds, women just 6.5 minutes. Men prefer to call between 3am and noon, women between noon and 9pm. Two-thirds of calls…

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Happy Valentine’s Day

02/14/2013

Americans will spend $19 billion on Valentine’s Day gifts — $60/person. 56% will be spent on a romantic partner, 20% on family, 7% on friends, 5% on teachers and 4% each on; co-workers, others, and pets! That’s $750 million on…

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