71.   Bonds fell in New York on Friday, rounding out the worst week since July, after the better-than-expected housing market report.

72.   Bonds initially climbed today after government studies showed labor and housing markets weaker than expected.

73.   Braced by a strong housing market, Home Depot has turned in quarter after quarter of strong earnings growth in recent years.

74.   -- Falling prices have brought the housing market within reach of thousands of buyers who previously could not afford to purchase a home.

75.   A construction industry survey from earlier this month showed that the housing market improved in December for the first time in seven months.

76.   A decline in ready-to-buy homes should help boost the housing market next year, economists said.

77.   A drop in residential construction was expected since the housing market continues to decelerate.

78.   A freer housing market will also promote the development of private enterprise and labor mobility, he said.

79.   A National Association of Home Builders survey recently showed prospects for the U.S. housing market deteriorated in October for the fifth consecutive month.

80.   A key contributor to the slowdown has been a weak housing market, economists said.