A mixed bag of economic news Thursday shows a record number of U.S.homeowners having problems repaying their mortgage loans and moretroubles in the job market. At the same time, other studies show animproving economy.

The American Bankers Association, anindustry group, says more than nine percent of home loans are one monthor more behind in their payments. Other measures of housing problemsalso hit record highs.  

A separate report showed more U.S.workers applied for unemployment compensation last week. LaborDepartment officials say the number of newly laid-off workers rose by15,000 (to a total of 576,000).

But the Conference Board, aprivate research group, says the U.S. economy will continue to improvein the next six to nine months. Its index of leading indicators roseby six-tenths of a percentage point to a reading of in July. It wasthe fourth month in a row the index improved.


Some information for this report was provided by Reuters and Bloomberg.