Builders a few bricks short of a full house

Article Abstract:

The housing and commercial building markets remain strong despite rising interest rates. The shortage of bricks and other building materials indicates that higher mortgage interests are not enough to cool down the hot construction market. Since June 1999, the Federal Reserve has been raising short-term rates by four quarter-point moves. Despite these moves, February housing starts have only declined to an annualized rate of 1.65 million to 1.7 million homes.

Construction

---

Fuel costs push riders to the rails

Article Abstract:

Motorists have resorted to mass transportation to get to work as gasoline prices spiral upward in the US. Regional rail systems reported surges in weekday ridership even in Los Angeles, CA, where the Metrolink reported a 13% increase in patronage to 31,137 riders a day between Mar 1, 2000, through Mar 20, 2000. Business is booming even in cities where rail commuting is a tradition. The average price across the nation of unleaded gasoline reached $1.53 on Mar 20, 2000.

---

L.A. commuters exit freeways

Article Abstract:

Southern Californians are opting to commute by train because of steep gasoline prices that have reached roughly $2 per gallon. This is surprising as rail commuting has not been part of the region's culture ince the 1940s. However, even Southern Californians have begun to feel the impact of steep gas prices, which are at their highest levels since 1970. Seven-year-old commuter service Metrolink has been the prime beneficiary of this development.

California

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Cutting edge in a backwater; phone company on Isle of Man aims to unite the Internet and wireless. Softer outlook for a phone offering
• Abstracts: Genetically modified crops not fully tested, scientist says. 'Contaminated' farm seed sold in genetic mixup
• Abstracts: April showers rain on TSX's parade - and that could mean weeds in May. Slowed economy hurting the ad industry
• Abstracts: ISPs grab for spot on wireless landscape. Wireless could suffer Y2K jam. Judge might inspire appeal
• Abstracts: Quarterly sales and profit rise sharply at Motorola; company remaking itself in Internet image. If You Pitch It, They Will Eat

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.