Reuters - The U.S. economy grew at a tepid 2.2 percent pace at the end of 2006, much weaker than first thought, while new home sales last month had their biggest drop in 13 years, according to data released on Wednesday that showed a soft economy.

Reuters - Sales of new U.S. homes fell 16.6 percent in January and prices were little changed as the number of new homes on the market decreased slightly, according to a government report on Wednesday showing some weakness in the unsteady housing sector.

Reuters - Existing home sales posted their largest gain in two years last month, a sign the housing market may be climbing out of a slump, but orders for big-ticket factory goods fell as businesses showed wariness about the economy's health.

AFP - US home sales rose three percent in January to a better-than-expected annual pace of 6.46 million units, the highest level in seven months, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) said Tuesday.