The advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 205,000 during the week ending December 16th, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week’s revised level.
Wood Markets News
Mississippi’s 2023 Timber Harvest Expected to Set Record for the 21st Century
Mississippi’s 2023 timber harvest is expected to exceed 36 million tons, a record for the 21st Century, the Mississippi State University Extension Service reported.
US Existing-Home Sales Improve Modestly Month-Over-Month in November but Remain Lower Year-Over-Year
Total existing-home sales recorded a 0.8% increase in November from October to a seasonally adjusted rate of 3.82 million homes, the National Association of Realtors reported.
Washington Sets Aside 2,000 Acres of State Forest Land for Conservation
Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz announced on Monday a proposal to conserve some 2,000 acres of state forest land, The Seattle Times reported.
Mortgage Applications Decline in the Week Ending December 15th
Mortgage loan application volume declined 1.5% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported.
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index Rises for Second Consecutive Month in December
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® rose to 110.7 (1985=100) in December, up from a downwardly revised November reading of 101.0.
Canadian Unemployment Inches Higher in October
The number of Canadians receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits in October changed little, increasing by 0.7%, or 2,900 persons, to 443,000.
US Housing Starts and Completions Rise but Permits Fall in November
Privately‐owned housing starts in November were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 1,560,000. This is 14.8% above the revised October estimate of 1,359,000.
Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research Group Releases Its December Commentary
In its December commentary, the ESR Group said single-family home sales likely bottomed out in 2023Q4 and are expected to begin a slow but meaningful recovery over the course of the next year.
Mortgage Applications for New-Home Purchases Down Month-Over-Month but Up Year-Over-Year in October
Mortgage applications for new home purchases decreased 12.0% month-over-month in November but were up 21.8% year-over-year, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported.