Business Week Index

THE WEEK AHEAD

EXISTING HOME SALES

Monday, Aug. 25, 10 a.m.EDT Copyright Existing homes probably sold at an

annual rate of 4.16 million in July, slightly higher than the 4.14 million rate

in June. That's the median forecast of economists surveyed by MMS

International, one of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Housing remains a strong

sector: Home prices are rising, mortgage rates are affordable, and mortgage

applications to purchase a home are on the rise.

DURABLE GOODS ORDERS

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 8:30 a.m.EDT Copyright The MMS survey expects that new

orders taken by durable-goods manufacturers likely increased 0.5% in July, on

top of a 2.3% jump in June. A gain in machinery demand offset weakness in the

motor-vehicle industry.

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 10 a.m.EDT Copyright The Conference Board's index of

consumer confidence probably stood at 126.5 in August, unchanged from July's

reading. Confidence has soared this year, lifted by the strong job market and

rising stock prices.

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT

Thursday, Aug. 28, 8:30 a.m.EDT Copyright The MMS survey forecasts that

revisions to the data will show the economy grew at an annual rate of 2.5% in

the second quarter, a bit better than the 2.2% initially reported. However, a

narrowing in the June trade gap suggests that the revision could be larger.

PERSONAL INCOME

Friday, Aug. 29, 8:30 a.m.EDT Copyright Personal income likely increased

just 0.2% in July, after a steep 0.6% gain in June. That's suggested by smaller

weekly paychecks in July. Consumer spending, however, probably rose a solid

0.6% in July, twice the gain in June. Retail sales were up strongly in July,

and demand for energy was also higher.

NEW HOME SALES

Friday, Aug. 29, 10 a.m.EDT Copyright New single-family homes likely sold

at an annual rate of 805,000 in July, up from 800,000 in June.