Uncategorized

This decadent Dark Chocolate Mousse from Food Network is the perfect way to celebrate National Chocolate Mousse Day on April 3. The recipe yields 4 to 6 servings. Begin by coarsely chopping 5 1/4 ounces of bittersweet chocolate and placing it in a large bowl over a bain marie or double boiler set to a […]

The U.S. economy experienced solid growth in 2024, with GDP increasing by 2.4% in the fourth quarter – slightly higher than the initial 2.3% estimate. This capped off a year with growth of 1.6% in Q1, 3% in Q2, and 3.1% in Q3. The Q4 uptick was driven by increased government and consumer spending, though […]

The closely watched Case-Shiller Home Price Index, the industry standard for measuring home value appreciation, reported a 0.6% increase in home prices across the country from December to January after seasonal adjustments. On an annual basis, home values rose 4.1% in January, building upon the 4% gain seen in December. The 10-city composite index posted […]

After two months of declines, pending home sales rose 2% from January to February, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). This metric, which tracks signed contracts on existing homes, typically precedes closings by 1-2 months and is a key indicator of housing market performance. What’s the bottom line? The rise in signed contracts […]

After a disappointing start to the year, new home sales rebounded in February, rising 1.8% from January to a 676,000-unitannualized pace. This rebound would have been even stronger, but inclement weather in the Northeast dampened activity in that region. On a year-over-year basis, sales were up 5.1%. January’s sales figures were also revised higher. The […]

The latest Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) report showed that headline inflation was in line with estimates, rising 0.3% from January to February and 2.5% year-over-year. However, the core PCE rate – the Fed’s preferred measure that strips out volatile food and energy prices – was hotter than expected, up 0.4% from the prior month and […]

Home builder confidence declined for the second consecutive month, with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)reporting a drop in their confidence index from 42 in February to 39 in March. This figure represents the lowest level since August and falls well below the neutral benchmark of 50, signaling contraction. All three components of the […]

With March Madness in full swing, these Chicken Nachos from Allrecipes make for a slam dunk gameday snack. This recipe serves 6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a deep 12-inch skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of canola oil over medium heat. Sauté thewhite parts of 6 green onions along with 2 crushed garlic cloves […]

Initial jobless claims increased by 2,000, bringing the total to 223,000. Overall, this figure remains stable. Meanwhile, continuingjobless claims climbed by 33,000, reaching 1.892 million – close to a three year high. These continuing claims have stayed above1.8 million since last June, indicating a concerning trend. What’s the bottom line? The most recent unemployment data […]

Retail Sales rose a modest 0.2% in February, well below the expected 0.6% increase. Additionally, January’s sales figures were revised downward to a 1.2% decline, the largest monthly drop in nearly four years. However, the “control group” – excluding autos, gasoline, building materials, and food services – saw a better-than-expected 1% rise. What’s the bottom […]

January due to harsh winter weather, particularly in the South and Northeast regions. These regions saw even larger increases. However, building permits, an indicator of future construction, dipped slightly from the prior month. What’s the bottom line? Overall, while February’s housing starts improved to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.5 million, they remain below […]

Home builder confidence declined for the second consecutive month, with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)reporting a drop in their confidence index from 42 in February to 39 in March. This figure represents the lowest level since August and falls well below the neutral benchmark of 50, signaling contraction. All three components of the […]

The Federal Reserve has opted to keep its benchmark Federal Funds Rate steady at 4.25% to 4.5%, maintaining the hold established during the January meeting. This decision to pause further rate cuts was anticipated. The Fed Funds Rate, a short-term rate used for interbank lending, influences various interest rates across the economy, although it does […]

The Federal Reserve meeting is the primary focus this week, with the Monetary Policy decision and press conference scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Key housing data will also be released, including builder confidence on Monday, construction data on Tuesday, and Existing Home Sales on Thursday. Additionally, Retail Sales will be reported on Monday, and Jobless Claims […]

If you’re looking for a delicious treat to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, these Soda Bread Biscuits from the Food Network are afantastic choice – and they’re great any time of year! This recipe makes 4 to 6 biscuits. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, 2 teaspoons of sugar, and 3/4 teaspoon each […]