Home Depot Continues To Lead In The Consumer Discretionary Sector

Home Depot (HD) reported strong second quarter 2012 sales in its earnings call on August 14. The company grew net sales 1.67 percent from the previous year and 15.51 percent for the quarter. Read more ...

Investment Opportunity In The Real Estate Market Focused On The Construction Industry

Freddie Mac's July 2012 U.S. economic and housing market outlook provides some interesting insights on the real estate market and, more specifically, the construction industry. In July, the agency increased its second-quarter outlook on housing starts, housing sales, and housing price appreciation. Based on the report, housing starts show the greatest potential for improvement in the next 12 months. Read more ... 

The housing market recovery

Wall Street Journal

Has Housing Hit Bottom on Your Street?

European Leaders Divided

Wall Street Journal

EU Leaders, Divided, Push Growth

Retail Sales Advance

Wall Street Journal

Retail Sales Advance

Bank Earnings Reports

Wall Street Journal
Bank Earnings Worry Investors

Gold Prices Settle Higher

The gold futures price on June contracts rose $13.80 to $1,643.90 a troy ounce. The commodity's price gain followed March's weak employment report, which speculators feel will lead to continued accommodative policy moves by the Federal Reserve. Increased demand for gold continued on Monday as many investors seek to hedge against the effects that easy-money policies have on the dollar.

Wall Street Journal
Gold Prices Settle Higher