Firefighters battled a major fire at Arbec’s OSB plant in Amos, Quebec, on Tuesday night, Radio-Canada reported.
Wood Markets News
US Existing-Home Sales Rise 2.2% in December
Existing-home sales rose 2.2% in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.24 million.
Mercer Peace River Pulp and Woodland Cree First Nation Extend Co-Ownership of Peace River Logging
Mercer Peace River Pulp and Woodland Cree First Nation have signed a historic agreement extending their co-ownership relationship of Peace River Logging.
Taiwan Becomes First in Asia-Pacific to Achieve 100% FSC Certification for Public Forests
The certified forest area covers nearly 1.6 million hectares (3.95 million acres), accounting for 71.5% of Taiwan’s total forest area—the highest certification rate among Asian countries.
University of Michigan Releases the Final Results of Its Consumer Sentiment Index for January
The University of Michigan’s Index of Consumer Sentiment declined to a reading of 71.1 in January, down 3.9% from December.
Canadian New-Home Prices Fall 0.1% in December
Canada’s New Housing Price Index declined 0.1% but increased 0.1% year-over-year in December.
Earnings Needed to Afford a Typical US Apartment at Lowest Level Since March 2022
Renters now need to earn $63,680 annually to afford the median US apartment rent of $1,592, the lowest level for the latter figure since March 2022, Redfin reported.
Construction Costs of a New US Single-Family Home Increased in 2024
Construction costs made up 64.4% of the average home price in 2024, an increase from 60.8% in 2023, NAHB reported.
US Mortgage Rates Retreat in the Week Ending January 23
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.96%, down from last week when it averaged 7.04%, Freddie Mac reported.
Walmart Unveils New Home Office Campus, a Mass Timber Masterpiece
Walmart has begun the phased opening of its new home office campus in Bentonville, Arkansas, which includes several mass timber buildings, The Architectural Record reported.