The national unemployment rate is declining, consumer confidence is rising, and stocks on the Home Channel Stock Roundup appear generally in the top right quadrant of the grid.

The Consumer Watch section of the Dashboard shows gas prices holding steady at $3.29 per gallon of regular. On the Stock Roundup, Tractor Supply, Fastenal, Home Depot and Lowe's lead the field.

Total housing starts jumped 15% in October. Whether that’s the beginning of a sustained comeback remains to be seen. But it’s the kind of news that casts a light glow on the products and solutions gathered here. From entryways to rooftops, here are products that are built to last, built to save or built for style.

There’s nothing wrong with selling a product. But most retailers want to be their customers’ source to complete an entire project. Toward that end, here are a variety of innovations that support an even larger variety of home projects for experienced pros or beginning DIYers.

Another volatile week on Wall Street created winners and losers on the Home Channel Stock Roundup -- way out in front is Tractor Supply.

Monthly retail sales for NACIS 444 and NAICS 44413 offer a little something to cheer about on the Home Channel News Industry Dashboard. The Stock Roundup also shows gains. 

Tractor Supply, Sherwin-Williams and Home Depot led the Home Channel Stock Roundup, with gains compared with last month and last year.

The Home Channel Stock Roundup shows Tractor Supply Co. lighting up the grid -- up 15% from the month and 90% for the year.

Gas prices are high, too -- rising to $3.74 per gallon of regular, compared with $3.62 last week.

Consumer confidence rose to 60.6 in January. On the Home Channel Stock Roundup, Weyerhaeuser showed the largest monthly gains, while Tractor Supply showed a huge gain compared with last year. Housing starts continue to lag, but existing-home sales showed some life in December.