Rayonier and PotlatchDeltic closed their merger, creating a timberland company with over four million acres, six sawmills, and a plywood mill.
Wood Markets News
US Existing-Home Sales Fall in January
Existing-home sales fell 8.4% in January to 3.91 million (SAAR) and were down 4.4% year-over-year, NAR reported.
US Mortgage Rates Edge Lower in the Week Ending February 12
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.09%, down from 6.11% the previous week, Freddie Mac reported.
Nippon Paper Subsidiary and Pentarch to Acquire New Zealand Softwood Chip Exporter
Nippon Paper Resources Australia and Pentarch Forestry will acquire New Zealand-based Marusumi Whangarei, forming a 70–30 softwood chip export joint venture.
US Mortgage Delinquency Rates Increase in Q4
The mortgage delinquency rate rose to 4.26% in 2025Q4, up 27 basis points from the prior quarter and 28 basis points year-over-year, MBA reported.
US Weekly Initial Jobless Claims Decrease in the Week Ending February 7
The advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 227,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week.
US Construction Employment Climbs in January
US construction employment rose by 33,000 in January, with residential and nonresidential sectors both posting gains, the BLS and NAHB reported.
US Nonfarm Payroll Increases by 130,000 in January; Unemployment Edges Down to 4.3%
US nonfarm payroll employment rose by 130,000 in January, while the unemployment rate edged down to 4.3%, the BLS reported.
Value of Canadian Building Permits Rises in December
The total value of Canadian building permits rose 6.8% to CA$12.8 billion in December 2025, with residential and nonresidential intentions both higher.
US Mortgage Applications Slip in the Week Ending February 6
Mortgage loan application volume decreased 0.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier, MBA reported.