• Sales and Use Taxes +10.2%
• Corporate Franchise Taxes +85.6%
• Individual Income Taxes +17.8%
• Severance Taxes +45.4%
• Motor Fuel Taxes -0.1%

Source: Utah State Tax Commission, 7/18/06

• NAHB Housing Market Index

• Homebuilder optimism dropped three points to 39 in July, its lowest level since December 1991.

• Chain Store Sales

• Chain store sales fell 0.6% in the week ending July 15, according to the ICSC. Year-over- year growth tumbled to 2.0%, the lowest growth in 17 months. Weather, gasoline prices, and a pause before the start of back-to-school shopping were cited as negatives.

• MBA Mortgage Applications Survey

• Mortgage demand decreased last week, with the market index falling 4.6% in the week ending July 14. Purchase applications decreased 6.2% and refinance applications decreased 1.6%.

• Treasury International Report

• May net capital inflows to the U.S. amounted to $69.6 billion after a revised inflow of $51.1 billion in April.

• Industrial Production

• Industrial production increased 0.8% in June, easily besting consensus expectations. Manufacturing production led the gain this month, though both mining and utilities posted solid growth. Concurrently, capacity utilization increased 0.6 percentage points to 82.4%, a new high for this business cycle.

• California Manufacturing Survey

• The California Purchasing Manager’s index came in with a respectable reading of 60.3 in the second quarter. While this reading symbolizes positive growth, it is relatively close to the first quarter’s reading of 59.8. This month’s expansion marks the twelfth consecutive quarter of growth.

• Global Survey of Business Confidence

• Global business sentiment has stabilized so far in July after falling throughout much of May and June. Key to the more stable confidence readings is an improvement in sales. Hiring and investment also remain strong. Pricing pressures remain intense, however, rising to a new record high last week. North American, Asian, and South American are about as equally as optimistic. European business confidence continues to lag. High-tech and natural resource firms are the most positive. Non-auto manufacturers also remain optimistic. Vehicle manufacturers and retailers are negative. Confidence is consistent with a global economy that is expanding at its potential.

• Consumer Price Index

• The seasonally adjusted consumer price index rose 0.2% in June, after a 0.4% jump in May. The major reason for the smaller increase in top line inflation was a decline in energy prices. The core index, excluding food and energy prices, rose 0.3% in June; this was the fourth consecutive 0.3% monthly increase in the core CPI. Over the past year the core CPI inflation has run at a 2.6% pace. Today's release makes it even more likely that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates at its meeting in early August.

• Quarterly Household Credit Report

• Credit quality deteriorated sharply in the second quarter despite continued strong borrowing. The aggregate delinquency rate jumped to its highest level in two years. The deterioration in credit quality was widespread, although it was led by auto loans and mortgages. Borrowing was led by student loans, mortgages, and bankcards. Subprime lending accelerated more than prime lending.

• New Residential Construction (C20)

• Housing starts decreased 5.3% to 1.85 million units in June. Housing permits decreased 4.3% during the month.

• Mitchell’s Fishmarket and Cameron’s Steakhouse
• Cameron Mitchell Restaurants trades as Mitchell’s Fishmarket and Cameron’s Steakhouse.
• The chain operates 27 locations in FL, IL, IN, KY, MI, OH and PA.. The restaurants use 4,500 sq.ft. to 5,500 sq.ft. in freestanding locations, malls, specialty centers and urban/downtown areas.
• Plans call for six to eight openings throughout AZ, FL, IL, IN, KY, MI, NV, OH, PA and TX during the coming 18 months. Typical leases run 10 years with two, five-year options. Specific improvements are required.
• Preferred demographics include a population of 250,000 within five miles earning $75,000 as the average household income.
• For more information, contact: Caroline Brown, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, 515 Park Street, Columbus, OH 43215

• Brookstone
• Brookstone Company, Inc. trades as Brookstone.
• The 304-unit chain operates locations nationwide.
• The specialty gift shops use 3,500 sq.ft. in malls, airports, specialty and tourist centers and urban/downtown areas.
• Plans call for 26 openings nationwide during the coming 18 months.
• Preferred cotenants include Ann Taylor and Williams Sonoma.
• For details, contact: Bob Thomson Brookstone Company, Inc. 1 Innovation Way Merrimack, NH 03054-4873

• Corey’s Jewel Box and The Loop
• Corey’s Jewelry, Inc. trades as Corey’s Jewel Box and The Loop.
• The 32-unit chain operates locations throughout MI and OH.
• The jewelry stores use 240 sq.ft. to 1,000 sq.ft. in kiosks and inline spaces.
• Plans call for one to two openings throughout the existing markets during the coming 18 months.
• For details, contact: Mark Clark Corey's Jewelry 1301 Combermere Troy, MI 48083

• Fire & Ice and Harbor Silver & Gold
• Fire & Ice, Inc. trades as Fire & Ice and Harbor Silver & Gold.
• The 11-unit chain operates locations throughout MD, PA and Washington, DC.
• The jewelry stores occupy spaces of 900 sq.ft. in airports and malls.
• Growth opportunities are sought throughout the existing markets during the coming 18 months.
• For details, contact: Robert Levine 9578 Deereco Road Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093