Wednesday's Afternoon Update
Auto sales see record post-recession jumps
U.S. buyers snapped up new cars and trucks in June at a pace not seen since before the recession. And with auto sales helping stoke the U.S. economic recovery, Fort Lauderdale-based AutoNation reported a 10 percent rise in its retail sales of new vehicles in June compared to a year ago. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the AP.
Mortgage rates drop after last week's big jump
What a difference a week makes: The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell this week to 4.29 percent after the highest rate jump in more than 26 years the week before, Freddie Mac announced Wednesday. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida consortium reaches deal on use of oil spill payments
Gov. Rick Scott and the Gulf Consortium – a group comprising 23 Gulf Coast counties – have reached a deal for using recovery funds related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The agreement lays the groundwork to ensure that funding sources related to the RESTORE Act are maximized when developing a long-term restoration plan for Florida. More at the Insurance Journal.
Florida small biz employment flat in June
Small business employment in Florida remained relatively flat in June, rising just 0.01 percent, according to Intuit Payroll’s June Small Business Index released July 2. Nationwide, small business employment was up by 0.12 percent. More at the Orlando Business Journal.
Who Will Be Hiring In 2020? Who Won't Be?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics national projections for 2020 offer a glimpse at which business sectors may have increased hiring in the next decade -- and which may decline. Read more and see a slideshow at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.