According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Mortgage Credit Availability Index report, which analyzes data from the ICE Mortgage Technology, mortgage credit availability decreased in May. The MCAI fell by 3.1% to a reading of 96.5.
Wood Markets News
Consumer Price Index Increases 0.1% in May; All-Item Index Up 4.0% Year-Over-Year
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 0.1% in May on a seasonally adjusted basis, after increasing 0.4 in April and 0.1% in March. Over the past 12 months, the all-item index has increased 4.0% before seasonal adjustment.
NFIB’s Small Business Optimism Index Increased 0.4 Points in May—Remains Below 49-Year Average
The National Federation of Independent Business reported on Tuesday its NFIB Small Business Optimism Index (SBOI) for May increased 0.4 points to a reading of 89.4. This marks the seventeenth consecutive month that the SBOI has been below the 49-year average reading of 98.
Resolute Forest Products Temporarily Closes Four Quebec Sawmills Due to Nearby Wildfires
Resolute Forest Products Inc. has temporarily shut down four Quebec sawmills due to nearby fires and related log shortages, Reuters reported (6-12-23). Resolute has also paused harvesting activities in areas near the wildfires.
USDA to Invest $43 Million to Further Expand the Innovative Use of Wood for Construction and Energy
The US Department of Agriculture is investing more than $43 million to expand innovative uses of wood, including as a construction material in commercial buildings, as an energy source, and in manufacturing for wood products.
US Department of Commerce to Issue Its Final Conclusion on Anti-dumping Tax Evasion on Panels Imported From Vietnam in July
The US Department of Commerce (DoC) has announced that it will extend the deadline for issuing its final conclusion on anti-dumping tax evasion investigation into plywood imported from Vietnam—the eighth extension.
BC to Be Home to North America’s First Mass Timber Single-Level Underground Parking Garage
According to Daily Hive, a new mixed-use, mid-rise building project located on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia will soon be home to North America’s first underground mass timber structure for vehicle parking.
US National Interagency Fire Center Wildfire Update for the Week Ending June 9th
As of Friday, June 9th, five large wildfires have burned 52,323 acres in six states. One large new wildfire was reported in Idaho during the week. Nationally, since January 1st, 19,693 wildfires have burned 620,986 acres.
US Monthly Median Asking Rents Decline Year-Over-Year in May
Redfin reported that US median asking rents fell 0.6% year-over-year to $1,995 in May, the largest annual decline since March 2020. That compares to a near-record increase of 16.5% a year ago.
US Wood Pellet Exports Decline Month-Over-Month in April, but Remain Up Year-Over-Year
The US exported 720,209.2 metric tons of wood pellets in April. This is down from 909,781.1 metric tons in March but up from 659,071.0 metric tons in April 2022. The UK was the top destination.