The Conference Board Leading Economic Index rose 0.1% in April to 97.4, following a 0.6% decline in March.
Wood Markets News
University of Michigan Releases Final Results of Its Consumer Sentiment Index for May
The Index of Consumer Sentiment fell to 44.8 in May, down 10.0% from April and 14.2% from a year ago.
Canada’s First Tall Timber Passive House Building Welcomes Residents in Vancouver
Canada’s first tall timber Passive House building is welcoming residents in Vancouver, BC, combining mass timber construction with Indigenous design.
US Housing Starts Fall in April; Permits and Completions Rise
US housing starts fell 2.8% in April, while permits rose 5.8% and completions increased 4.8%.
US Mortgage Rates Climb in the Week Ending May 21
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.51%, up from 6.36% the previous week, Freddie Mac reported.
Colorado Mountain Pine Beetle Outbreak Expands 148% in 2025
Colorado’s mountain pine beetle outbreak expanded 148% from 2024 to 2025, with infestations expected to intensify amid heat and drought stress.
Germany’s Timber Industry Retains Pessimistic Outlook for the Next Six Months
Germany’s timber industry business climate indicator improved slightly in April, although companies remained pessimistic about the next six months.
US Weekly Initial Jobless Claims Decline in the Week Ending May 16
The advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 209,000, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week.
Arbec Reopens Port-Cartier, QC, Sawmill to Process Log Inventories
Arbec temporarily restarted its Port-Cartier, QC, sawmill to process previously harvested logs and supply wood residues to local facilities, Radio-Canada reported.
US New-Home Purchase Mortgage Applications Decrease in April
Mortgage applications for new-home purchases decreased 2.4% in April and were down 10.0% from a year earlier, MBA reported.