CONNECTED AT HOME

50 percent of U.S. households - 56 million homes - subscribe to high-speed Internet service. Another 21 million have dial-up connections.

• Of note: The U.S. ranks 25th among countries in broadband penetration. South Korea is the global leader at 89 percent.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

BRAKES ON

3.2 percent decline in U.S. auto sales from a year ago. July sales reflected the lowest sales pace in nine years.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

PACESETTERS

Two Colorado companies made Hispanic Business magazine's 2007 list of "100 Fastest Growing Companies":

• Torix General Contractors in Colorado Springs - 25th - posted sales growth of 464 percent in 2002-2006.

• A&N Quality Products in Denver - 29th - a sheet metal and machinery supply firm, posted sales growth of 410 percent in the same period.

Source: Hispanic Business

ALL IS NOT WELL

"This is a minipanic. All the things that had been denied up until this point are unraveling. On top of this, retail sales were mediocre, which shows that indeed, the housing collapse is affecting the consumer."

Joseph V. Battipaglia chief investment officer at Ryan Beck & Co., regarding the Federal Reserve decision Thursday to inject $24 billion into U.S. markets to ease liquidity constraints