The ABC Construction Backlog Indicator increased to 8.5 months, up 0.3 months from a year ago.
News in end use
Mortgage Applications Decline in the Week Ending April 11
Mortgage loan application volume decreased 8.5% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier, MBA reported.
Fannie Mae Panel Expects Slower Home Price Growth in 2025 and 2026
A panel of more than 100 housing experts forecasts home price growth to average 3.4% in 2025 and 3.3% in 2026, Fannie Mae reported.
Canadian Housing Starts Fall 3.3% in March
Housing starts in Canada declined 3.3% in March to 214,155 units (SAAR), CMHC reported.
Canadian Housing Demand and Home Prices Continue to Trend Lower in March
Sales activity sank 4.8% in March, CREA reported. Home sales are now down 20% from their recent high recorded last November.
Canadian Consumer Price Index Moderates in March
The all-items CPI increased 2.3% year-over-year in March, down from a 2.6% increase in February.
US Median Asking Rent Trends Lower Year-Over-Year in March
The median US asking rent fell 0.6% year-over-year to $1,610 in March but rose 0.4% month-over-month, Redfin reported.
US Remodeling Market Sentiment Declines in Q1
The NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index declined 5 points to 63 in Q1.
US Building Materials Price Growth Slows in March
Prices for inputs to new residential construction—excluding capital investment, labor, and imports—were up 0.6% in March, the BLS and NAHB reported.
US Producer Price Index for Final Demand Rises 2.7% Year-Over-Year in March
The seasonally adjusted Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand fell 0.4% month-over-month in March.