Quick Facts
USPTO News: A showcase for innovation
The Smithsonian and PTO have announced a 7-year collaboration to showcase innovation.
12%
U.S. home building surged in December to finish the year with the most new homes started since 2008.
$50.5 billion
The House passed a package of recovery and related aid for Superstorm Sandy and other disasters
$21 billion a year
US exports to Africa, home to 6 of the 10 fastest growing countries. Visit http://export.gov/africa
$13.9 billion
The amount foreign visitors spent visiting the U.S. in September, a 4% increase over September 2011.
$13 trillion
The amount of money earned by all US residents in 2011
1 in 10
U.S. military veterans own 2.4 million businesses, or nearly 1 in 10 of all businesses nationwide.
$1.2 trillion
The amount Veteran-owned businesses generate in receipts; employ nearly 5.8 million people.
73.7
Consumer confidence rose in November to the highest level in more than four years.
Up 6.2 Percent
Manufacturers’ and trade inventories were up 6.2 percent in September 2012 from a year ago.