Where I live in Virginia there are large office buildings going up all over the place. I hate seeing cranes and ugly half-finished buildings everywhere in my neighborhood. Still, I don't know how good of an indicator of the economy it is, but it seems like a lot of building construction is a good thing.
housing starts have always been considered an indicator for economic growth. with new houses being built comes people employed in construction...new financing and benefits for people in that sector...new purchases of appliances and household items...etc. buying a home sets off a whole string of purchases...in the micro you shrug your shoulders at it. in the aggregate, it's significant.
http://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/calendar/econ/current.asp Date Event For Actual Forecast May 18 Housing Starts Apr 1969K 1995K Jun 16 Housing Starts May 1967K 1980K Jul 20 Housing Starts Jun 1802K 2005K Aug 17 Housing Starts Jul 1978K 1935K Overall, Housing Starts data have been disappointing this summer.
I appreciate your response IROC it We aren't in a postion yet where she is willing to just take any job, but it is rapidly approaching that point. A lesson we have learned, through my job searching in 2002 and hers now, is that companies have no interest in training anymore. They want people that already have a very specific skill set. The days of hiring someone and training them seem to be over. Companies want quick fixes. You have to specialize yourself. This leads to that depressing situation of, how in the f do I gain these specific skills if no one is willing to hire and train me in them?
Plus, it makes it easier for them to fire you as they have less time and money invested in you. Welcome to the race to the bottom!
I'm not gonna pretend to be an expert on this but I do know that homebuilders usually get their building materials directly from manufacturers like acme brick, standard pacific lumber, etc. They wouldn't be getting it from a retail outlet like Home Depot or Lowe's. Now, if you had said that people are choosing to STAY in their homes and improve them rather than buy new ones, the bump for these stores would make sense.
I think this is the "Trading Spaces" effect. Interior design is very trendy right now. There are always at least 5 different interior design shows playing on tv at once right now.
You have been advised incorrectly. Let me guess. Your stock broker thinks mutual funds are a risky investment.
You are not serious about getting an explanation on why equity values (albeit REITs in a mutual fund) are volatile, right?
Believe me I know... I've had some night school and correspondence training just to help get some added certifications, but it still isn't anything like the degree. I agree, too. Very, very few industries or employers are training any more. I have had some tell me, "Thanks for your honesty... but we would be spending more to train you than we can allow for being that you might move on to the career you'd rather be in." (That was in response to me honestly answering "yes" when they asked if I would leave to take the job in my skill set if one should open.) Sometimes (though only to get by in my personal experience) you just gotta get something going. I'll keep you in my prayers that your wife finds the employment that she not only is trained in, but that is a most agreeable income and setting. I know it's difficult and can be depressing... keep lookin' up. This too shall pass. btw- I hope you know I wasn't telling you your business.
