The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) is reporting that builder sentiment in the market for newly built single-family homes declined 5-points to a reading of 75 in August. This is its lowest level since July of 2020, and after builder confidence topped at a reading of 90 last November.
News in end use
Shares of Mortgages in Forbearance Decline for 24th Consecutive Week in the Week Ending August 8, 2021
The latest Mortgage Banker Association’s (MBA) Forbearance and Call Survey reports that the total number of loans now in forbearance decreased by 14 basis points from 3.40% of servicers’ portfolio volume in the prior week to 3.26% as of August 8, 2021. According to MBA’s estimate, 1.6 million homeowners are in forbearance plans.
Census Bureau Reports Multifamily Units Completed in 2020 Increased by 6%
The 2020 U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) with analysis provided by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reveals that multifamily units completed in 2020 increased by 6% to 375,000. This represents the largest annual count of multifamily units completed in 30-years.
Canadian Manufacturing Sales Increase 2.1% in June, But Wood Product Sales Post -5.7% Decline
Statistics Canada (StatsCan) reported today (8-16-21) that following two successive months of declines, manufacturing sales rose 2.1% to $59.2 billion (CAD) in June. However, following six consecutive monthly gains, wood product sales fell -5.7% to $5.1 billion in June, on lower volumes and prices.
University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment Posts Sharp Declines in Preliminary August Results
The University of Michigan today (Friday 8-13-21), released its preliminary Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI) for August. The Index of Consumer Sentiment dropped to a reading of 70.2 in August, down from 81.2 in July, a month-over-month decline of -13.5% and -5.3% year-over-year (74.1 in August 2020).
Despite Lumber Pricing Decline – Overall Building Materials Pricing Continue to Climb
According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics July Producer Price Index (PPI), with analysis provided by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), prices paid for goods used in residential construction, less energy, rose 0.2% in July, after rising 3.0% in June (not seasonally adjusted).
Mortgage Credit Availability Increased in July
The Mortgage Banker Association (MBA) on Thursday (8-12-21), released their Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI), that analyzes data from Ellie Mae’s AllRegs® Market Clarity® business information tool, for July. According to the MCAI rose by 0.3% to 119.1 in July.
Lower Lumber and Wood Product Pricing Limits Canadian Industrial Price Index Increases
Statistics Canada (StatCan) today (8-13-21) released its Flash Estimate for July 2021, Industrial Product Price Index (IPPI). The IPPI edge up 0.1% month-over-month in July and is up 16.2% year-over-year.
Investment in Building Construction in Canada Drops in June
Statistics Canada (StatsCan) reported today (8-12-21) that investment in building construction in Canada declined -4.5% to $18.4 billion (CAD) in June. Investments in both residential and non-residential construction investment were down.
Producer Price Index for Final Demand Increases 1.0% in July
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today (8-12-21) that the Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand, seasonally adjusted, increased 1.0% in July. Final demand prices rose 1.0% in June, 0.8% in May, 0.6% in April, 1.0% in March and 0.5% in February.