Confidence among nation’s homebuilders jumped 5 points to 74. It’s the highest reading in years. Buyer traffic is likely increasing because of severe shortage of homes for sale. Housing starts did rise, but moderately this year.

Crops do not appear to be getting small in South America. Early maturing beans in Paraguay are hurting. Brazil’s corn crop is likely going to be smaller than estimated.

A neon remnant of Milwaukee’s past likely will not be coming home. Two years ago the sign was taken down and it wound up going to National Save the Neon Signs Museum in Minot, N.D. A local man has been unable to bring the sign back to Milwaukee.