Housing, factory numbers unimpressive

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Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004 | 9:31 a.m.

SUN STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

WASHINGTON -- Orders for big-ticket goods were flat in December after taking a dive in November, highlighting the struggles America's manufacturers are encountering as they try to get on firm footing.

The latest snapshot of manufacturing activity reported today by the Commerce Department disappointed economists.

In a second report from the department, sales of new homes nationwide also ended 2003 on a lackluster note, declining by 5.1 percent in December from November.

But in Las Vegas, the housing market continues to break records and industry experts don't expect it to slow down anytime soon. The number of new homes sold in 2003 in the Las Vegas area topped 25,230, a year-to-year increase of 2,728, or 12 percent.