U.S. foreclosure filings rise 8% in a month (by Simon Kennedy)

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- RealtyTrac, an online marketplace for foreclosure properties, said foreclosure filings, including default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions, on U.S. properties reached 272,171 in July. The figure represents an 8% rise from June and a 55% rise from a year earlier. RealtyTrac said Nevada, California and Florida posted the highest foreclosure rates.