| Wall Street Report |
May's volatility left Wall Street in the red for the month ended May 31, 2006. The Fed raised rates a quarter point at its May 10 meeting, as expected, but the recent release of its notes indicating a June increase pummeled stocks, as did stellar oil prices, weak Wal-Mart sales and soft consumer strength.
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| Selling Strategies |
To sell in today's market, builders are forced to do the one thing that they dread most: discount. Maybe they should be teaching their sales people how to position your company and the homes you build to be different.
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| Trend Watch |
No wonder today's kitchens are a feast of innovation and style: in houses, they're where the action is in houses. Americans spend "80 percent of their waking hours" in the kitchen, whether cooking, eating, doing homework, or entertaining guests, says Alan Hilsabeck Jr., CKD, CBD, ASID, of Premier Kitchens & Baths in Dallas.
New-home buyers have an array of options for outfitting their kitchens: carpet, tile and cabinetry as well as the standard and upgraded offerings of countertops and appliances. Why so many choices? Because the kitchen is the most important room of the house, where one size never fits all.
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| M and A Report |
In the April 2006 GIANTS, we anticipated a period of uncertainty that would materially slow the mergers and acquisitions market. While several experts are now describing this period in detail, this article considers the period ahead, when we believe a tipping point will be achieved and M&A activity will resume.
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| Market Intelligence |
Because many Chicago residents retire in Fort Myers, Fla., we thought it would be interesting to feature both markets. Chicago is an established market where a lackluster economy appears to be on the rebound. To the contrary, Fort Myers is a new market where housing construction is driving an unsustainable boom.
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| Process Improvement Report |
Giants have to consider technical issues during the design phase if they want truly satisfied customers in the long-term. Find out how it can be done with an integrated design process.
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| From the Editor |
Our CEO spotlight this issue shines on Frank Foster of Fieldstone Communities, a Newport Beach, Calif.-based private builder riding the Rayco model to fast growth.
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