US economy grew at 1.7 percent rate in 2nd quarter

US rate on 30-year mortgage rises to 3.41 percent

Published: October 25, 2012
Tags: Commerce Department, Freddie Mac, mortgage rates, National Association of Realtors

Average U.S. mortgage rates rose only slightly this week and continued to hover near record lows, a trend that has helped boost home sales and refinancing.

US new-home sales rise to highest level in 2½ years

Published: October 24, 2012
Tags: builder sentiment, Commerce Department, National Association of Home Builders, new home sales

U.S. sales of new homes jumped last month to the highest level in more than two years, further evidence of a sustained housing recovery that could help lift the lackluster economy.

No one was tracking $69M in state loans

Published: October 19, 2012
Tags: Commerce Department, Peter Barca, Ryan Murray, Scott Walker, WEDC

The state’s quasi-public economic development agency lost track of $69 million in loans to businesses because no one was in charge of keeping tabs on that money, members of the board that oversees the agency were told Friday.

Wisconsin development agency not tracking loans

Published: October 19, 2012
Tags: Commerce Department, Jon Richards, Paul Jadin, Scott Fitzgerald, Scott Walker, WEDC, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.

The semi-public agency charged with overseeing economic development efforts in Wisconsin did not track how much was owed on $8 million in overdue loans for more than a year, leading Gov. Scott Walker to promise dramatic corrective action.

US rate on 30-year fixed mortgage near record low

Published: October 18, 2012
Tags: Commerce Department, Freddie Mac, mortgage rates

The average U.S. rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage has fallen to near its record low set earlier this month.

China rejects US solar tariffs as protectionism

Published: October 11, 2012
Tags: Commerce Department, solar energy, solar panels

China demanded Thursday that Washington repeal steep tariffs on solar panels that Chinese producers fear will shut their equipment out of the American market.

US builders trimmed work for second straight month

Published: October 1, 2012
Tags: Commerce Department, construction spending, National Association of Home Builders

U.S. builders trimmed their activity for a second straight month in August as a solid gain in home construction failed to offset declines in nonresidential activity and government projects.

New US home sales edged down 0.3 percent in August

Published: September 26, 2012
Tags: Commerce Department, new home sales

Sales of new homes in the United States dipped slightly in August from July but the median price of homes sold during the month rose by a record amount.

US construction spending fell 0.9 percent in July

Published: September 4, 2012
Tags: Commerce Department, construction spending

U.S. construction spending fell in July from June by the largest amount in a year, weighed down by a big drop in spending on home improvement projects.