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U.S. Stocks Rise on Home Depot CEO Change, Manufacturing
Data
from Bloomberg.com
U.S. stocks rose on the first trading day of the year, sending the Dow Jones Industrial Average to a record, after Home Depot Inc. replaced its chief executive officer and manufacturing unexpectedly expanded in December... read more

Hurricane Center Chief Issues Final Warning
A departing Max Mayfield is convinced that the Southeast is inviting disaster
from latimes.com
Frustrated with people and politicians who refuse to listen or learn, National Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield ends his 34-year government career today in search of a new platform for getting out his unwelcome message: Hurricane Katrina was nothing compared with the big one yet to come... read more

New-Home Sales Rise 3.4 Percent in November
from National Association of Home Builders
The U.S. Commerce Department reported today that sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 3.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.05 million units in November. Sales also were revised upward for the three previous months... read more

More Troubles Ahead for Home Builders, Say Turnaround Pros in Annual Poll
from Turnaround Management Association
Skittish consumers are a significant factor in the top choices for the most troubled industries in 2007, according to respondents to the Turnaround Management Association's annual Trend Watch poll. Potential homebuyers and U.S. automobile owners seem to be in a "wait-and-see" mode, adding to the current distress in those industries... read more

Canadian Housing Starts in 2006 Reach Their Second Highest Level in Nearly Two Decades Despite Cooling in December
from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
New home starts are estimated at 227,400 in 2006, surpassing the level in 2005, reaching their second highest level in nearly two decades. However, the seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts decreased to 211,500 units in December from November's 229,300 units, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation... read more