Sector: Construction Materials

Applications for U.S. home mortgages rose last week, fueled by demand for refinancings as mortgage rates hit fresh record lows, an industry group said on Wednesday.

Applications for U.S. home mortgages rose last week, with purchase demand improving for the third week in a row as loan rates fell to new lows, an industry group said on Wednesday.

A court concluded Friday that Martin Marietta violated a nondisclosure agreement with larger rival Vulcan; Martin is now barred for four months from pursuing its proxy contest and hostile bid for Vulcan.

Applications for U.S. home mortgages edged up last week, boosted by stronger demand for purchases for the second week in a row, an industry group said on Wednesday.

Two reports released on Tuesday showed that the pace of growth in the U.S. manufacturing sector unexpectedly picked up in April. Meanwhile, U.S. construction edged slightly higher.

Caterpillar's first-quarter profit jumped 29 percent and it boosted its outlook for the year Wednesday with U.S. construction firms replacing old gear and global demand booming for mining equipment.

Two Chinese property developers filed for bankruptcy, according to reports Friday, putting the spotlight back on China's property market, which is expected to see double-digit falls this year. But one expert tells CNBC while more small developers could file for bankruptcies in coming months, the long-term outlook for property demand in China stays bright.

More Chinese property developers have filed for bankruptcy, the South China Morning Post reported on Friday, as some small real-estate companies struggle after more than two years of measures by Beijing to curb home prices in China.

Applications for U.S. home mortgages jumped last week as a drop in interest rates fueled demand for refinancings, though purchases tumbled, an industry group said on Wednesday.

CNBC.com ranked the ten places in the U.S. that showed the most job growth between February 2011 and February 2012. Catherine Varner, economist for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, offered insight into what the numbers mean.

Home Depot had a strong fourth quarter, thanks to unusually mild winter weather, CEO Frank Blake told CNBC Thursday, but that same mild weather is making it unclear just how strong the U.S. economic recovery really is.

Applications for U.S. home mortgages faded last week after as demand for refinancing declined, an industry group said on Wednesday.

Applications for U.S. home mortgages gained last week after seven straight weeks of declines, helped by a jump in purchase demand as interest rates retreated, an industry group said on Wednesday.

The housing market remains shaky amid an improving, broader economy. And after years of declines, homeowners have changed their priorities in home improvement. So, what are some of the new home-improvement rules for a new housing reality.

As national home sales begin to recover and the foreclosure market thins out, real estate is in varying stages of recovery. What do you think?