U.S. new-home sales jump nearly 10% in July

Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:01:21 -04009

U.S. new-home sales jump nearly 10% in July

Sales of new homes rise for the fourth month in a row in July, jumping
an estimated 9.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 433,000, the
Commerce Department reports. But can this string be sustained or will
persistent headwinds tamp down activity among prospective homeowners?

AIRCRAFT BOOKINGS BOOST JULY DURABLE-GOODS ORDERS

A doubling in aircraft bookings in July drives orders for new
U.S.-made durable goods up by 4.9%, the largest increase in two years,
the Commerce Department reports.

EUROPEAN SHARES DECLINE AS MINERS, OIL FIRMS WEIGH

European shares traded with losses on Wednesday, snapping a
four-session run of gains, hurt by weakness for mining and oil and gas
shares.

OIL AND GAS FIRMS, MINERS PRESSURE IN LONDON

Oil and gas firms as well as miners weaken, setting the tone for
modestly lower London dealings.