Consumer prices edged up by 0.2% in June, the best showing since January and far below May's 0.7% surge, the Labor Department reported July 18. Core inflation, which excludes the volatile energy and food sectors, also rose a modest 0.2% in June. For June, clothing prices fell by 0.6%, while new car prices were flat. Airline ticket prices, however, jumped by 0.9%.

Wholesale prices also fell by 0.2% in June, the first decline since a 0.6% dip in January, the Labor Department said July 17. However, core wholesale inflation, which strips out food and energy costs, marched ahead at a higher-than-expected 0.3% in June.

The Conference Board said on July 19 that its index of economic indicators -- a gauge of future economic activity -- fell 0.3% in June, worse than the 0.1% drop analysts expected. The five negative contributors were building permits, unemployment claims, consumer expectations, vendor performance and interest rate spread.

For the week, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages remained unchanged from the previous week, Freddie Mac said July 19.

Meanwhile, jobless claims fell by 8,000 from the previous week, reaching their lowest level in two months, the Labor Department reported July 19. The nation's unemployment rate remains at 4.5%.

This week look for updates on existing home sales on July 25, and new home sales and durable goods orders on July 26.

Orange County Historical Single Family Home Prices

Year

Average Sales Price

Dollar Increase

Percent Change

1970

$ 27,000

1971

$ 27,700

$ 700

2.59%

1972

$ 28,400

$ 700

2.53%

1973

$ 31,500

$ 3,100

10.92%

1974

$ 38,400

$ 6,900

21.90%

1975

$ 44,300

$ 5,900

15.36%

1976

$ 55,000

$ 10,700

24.15%

1977

$ 70,100

$ 15,100

27.45%

1978

$ 81,100

$ 11,000

15.69%

1979

$ 93,400

$ 12,300

15.17%

1980

$ 107,100

$ 13,700

14.67%

15.04%

1981

$ 118,100

$ 11,000

10.27%

1982

$ 120,200

$ 2,100

1.78%

1983

$ 132,700

$ 12,500

10.40%

1984

$ 133,900

$ 1,200

0.90%

1985

$ 138,200

$ 4,300

3.21%

1986

$ 146,200

$ 8,000

5.79%

1987

$ 165,700

$ 19,500

13.34%

1988

$ 210,600

$ 44,900

27.10%

1989

$ 248,200

$ 37,600

17.85%

1990

$ 257,300

$ 9,100

3.67%

9.43%

1991

$ 246,900

$ (10,400)

-4.04%

1992

$ 238,700

$ (8,200)

-3.32%

1993

$ 221,500

$ (17,200)

-7.21%

1994

$ 215,800

$ (5,700)

-2.57%

1995

$ 213,300

$ (2,500)

-1.16%

1996

$ 211,100

$ (2,200)

-1.03%

1997

$ 217,300

$ 6,200

2.94%

1998

$ 251,200

$ 33,900

15.60%

1999

$ 273,500

$ 22,300

8.88%

0.90%

2000

$ 300,400

$ 26,900

9.84%

}

2001

$ 334,800

$ 34,400

11.45%

2002

$ 391,600

$ 56,800

16.97%

14.75%

2003

$ 458,600

$ 67,000

17.11%

6yr Avg.

2004

$ 535,000

$ 76,400

16.66%

2005

$ 623,275

$ 88,275

16.50%

35 Year Average

9.75%