In September, the Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index® declined by 2.4 points to a reading of 64.5 as elevated mortgage rates continued to dampen already gloomy consumer housing sentiment.
Wood Markets News
US Asking Rents Little Changed Year-Over-Year but Down 2% Month-Over-Month in September
Redfin reported that the US median asking rent rose 0.4% year-over-year in September to $2,011. This marks the sixth consecutive month in which rents were little changed from a year earlier.
New “Le Berlier” Timber Tower Completed in Paris
Paris has gained a new timber tower, Le Berlier, according to a feature by designbloom. The structure rises fifty meters (165 feet) above street level and was designed by local architecture studio Moreau Kusunoki.
NAFTA Chapter 19 Panel Issues Ruling on Canada’s Challenge of US Final Dumping Determination on Canadian Softwood Lumber Products
The panel, according to Canadian sources, “Directed the US Department of Commerce to review key aspects of its determination.”
US Wood Pellet Exports Increase in August
The US exported 1.01 million metric tons of wood pellets in August, up from 615,698.8. metric tons of wood pellets in July, according to the USDA and Biomass Magazine.
Construction Sector Gains 11,000 Jobs in September
Employment in the construction sector increased by 11,000 positions in September, according to NAHB analysis of Census Bureau data.
US National Interagency Fire Center Wildfire Update for the Week Ending October 6th
As of Friday, October 6th, 27 large wildfires have burned more than 334,369 acres in 9 states.
US Nonfarm Payroll Increases by 336,000 in September; Unemployment Unchanged at 3.8%
Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 336,000 in September. The unemployment rate held steady at 3.8%.
Canadian Employment Increases by 64,000 in September; Unemployment Steady at 5.5%
In September, Canadian employment rose by 64,000, or 0.3%. This follows an increase of 40,000, or 0.2%, in August.
LP Building Solutions Completes New SmartSide ExpertFinish Facility in Bath, New York
LP® Building Solutions announced the opening of its new SmartSide® ExpertFinish® prefinishing facility in Bath, New York.