Total US nonfarm payroll employment increased by 353,000 in January, similar to the revised gain of 333,000 in December. The unemployment rate held steady at 3.7%.
Wood Markets News
Brazilian Exports of Wood-Based Products Increase Year-Over-Year in December
In December, Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) increased 2.0% year-over-year to US$270.8 million in value, the ITTO reported.
University of Michigan Reports Final Results of Its Consumer Sentiment Index for January
The University of Michigan’s Index of Consumer Sentiment increased 13.3% month-over-month to a reading of 79.0 in January, up from 69.7 in December.
Princeton University Embraces Mass Timber in Six New Campus Projects
Princeton University is in the midst of its largest campus expansion since the early 1960’s, with six of 16 new projects using mass timber, The Princeton University Alumni Weekly reported.
US Dept. of Commerce Releases Preliminary Determinations in Fifth Administrative Review of Duties on Certain Softwood Lumber Products From Canada
The US Department of Commerce has released its preliminary determinations for the fifth administrative review (AR5) of duties on certain softwood lumber products from Canada.
US Monthly Construction Spending Climbs Month-Over-Month and Year-Over-Year in December
Total construction spending during December was estimated at SAAR of $2,096.0 billion, 0.9% above the revised November estimate of $2,078.3 billion.
Stora Enso Announces Program to Increase Profitability and Competitiveness
Stora Enso plans to initiate a new profit improvement program targeting annualized EUR 80 million improvement of the operational EBIT.
Södra Wood Announces Changes to Its Industrial Structure to Further Strengthen Competitiveness
Södra Wood said it would consolidate its sawn timber operations to achieve economies of scale by relocating production volumes to its larger production units.
Canadian Residential and Nonresidential Building Construction Costs Increase in 2023Q4
Residential building construction costs increased 0.9% in Q4, following a 1.2% increase in Q3. Nonresidential costs increased 0.7% in Q4, following a 1.3% increase in Q3.
Fixed-Rate Mortgages Tick Down in the week Ending February 1st
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.63%, down from last week when it averaged 6.69%, Freddie Mac reported.