Building material prices rose 3.4% year-over-year in August, the biggest gain since January 2023, the BLS and NAHB reported.
News in end use
US Producer Price Index for Final Demand Declines 0.1% in August
The Producer Price Index for final demand fell 0.1% in August, with services down 0.2% and goods up 0.1%.
Canadian Housing Starts Flat in First Half of 2025
Housing starts were flat in the first half of 2025, as record building in several CMAs was offset by sharp declines in Toronto and Vancouver.
US Mortgage Applications Rise in the Week Ending September 5
Mortgage applications rose 9.2% in the week ending September 5, with refinances up 12% and purchases up 7%, MBA reported.
Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index Slips in August
The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index fell 0.4 points to 71.4 in August and was down 0.7 points year-over-year.
US Asking Rents Rise in August as Apartment Completions Fall
US asking rents rose 2.6% year-over-year to $1,790 in August, the largest increase since December 2022, Redfin reported.
NFIB Small Business Optimism Index Edges Higher in August
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 0.5 points to 100.8 in August, marking its second consecutive monthly increase.
US Construction Employment Falls for Third Straight Month in August
Construction employment fell by 7,000 in August, with residential construction down 6,100 and nonresidential down 1,200, the BLS and NAHB reported.
US Multifamily Lending Increased 17% in 2024
US multifamily lending rose 17% in 2024 to $288.7 billion, with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac accounting for 41% of the total, MBA reported.
US Nonfarm Payroll Increases by 22,000 in August; Unemployment at 4.3%
US nonfarm payroll employment increased by 22,000 in August, while the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3%.