News in end use

Construction employment increased in 24 states and the District of Columbia in September, the BLS and NAHB reported.

The total number of loans in forbearance as of September 30th increased to 0.34% of servicers’ portfolio volume, up from 0.31% in August, MBA reported.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index declined 0.5% in September to a reading of 99.7 (2016=100), following a 0.3% decline in August.

Zillow reported that America’s housing stock continues to grow faster than it did before the pandemic-induced housing frenzy, as builders race to fill a shortage.

Housing starts in September were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,354,000, 0.5% below the August estimate of 1,361,000.

After a mild pullback over the previous year, spending for improvements and repairs on owner-occupied homes is set to expand once again by the middle of 2025, JCHS reported.

Pending home sales jumped 2.5% month-over-month in September on a seasonally adjusted basis, the largest increase since January 2023, Redfin reported.

A NAHB analysis of FDIC data shows the volume of total outstanding AD&C loans during Q2 posted the largest year-over-year percentage decline since 2012.

The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index rose 2 points in October, the second consecutive increase.

According to the ESR Group, the economy now appears to be on firmer footing than previously thought.