Metsä Group intends to discontinue sawn timber production at its Merikarvia, Finland, facility by the end of the summer of 2024.
Wood Markets News
Poland Halts Logging in 10 of Its Oldest Forests
Poland has ordered a state-run company that manages more than 7 million hectares of the country’s forests to halt logging in the 10 oldest areas, Reuters reported.
Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index Gets a Boost From Lower Mortgage Rates in December
The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index® increased 2.9 points in December to a reading of 67.2. Year-over-year, the full HPSI was up 6.2 points.
State-Level Analysis of Construction Employment in November
In November, construction sector jobs—including both residential and nonresidential—increased month-over-month in 27 states and declined in 20 states and the District of Columbia, NAHB reported.
US Median Asking Rents Decline for Third Consecutive Month in December
The median US asking rent fell 0.8% year-over-year to $1,964 in December, Redfin reported. Month-over-month, rents were 0.2% lower.
Alberta’s 2024 Wildfire Season Poised to Rival 2023’s Historic Fires, Experts Say
CTV News Edmonton interviewed experts from Environment and Climate Change Canada and Alberta Wildfire regarding the upcoming wildfire season.
Construction Sector Employment Increases in December, and Construction Unemployment Falls
Overall employment in the construction sector increased by 17,000 in December, following an increase of 6,000 in November, according to BLS and NAHB.
US Nonfarm Payroll Increases by 216,000 in December; Unemployment Steady at 3.7%
Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 216,000 in December. Payroll employment increased by 2.7 million in 2023, an average monthly gain of 225,000.
Canadian Employment Unchanged in December; Unemployment Steady at 5.8%
Canadian employment was little changed in December. This follows an increase of 25,000, or 0.1%, in November.
US Mortgage Payments in December Fall 14% From October’s Record High
The median US mortgage payment was $2,361 during the four-week period ending on December 31st, down 14% from October’s record high, Redfin said.