The HPSI increased 0.6 points to a reading of 72.1 in August, as consumers reported greater optimism about the future direction of mortgage rates despite showing little change in overall homebuying sentiment.
Wood Markets News
Nonresidential Employment Increases in August, but Builder Confidence Continues to Waiver
Nonresidential construction employment increased by a net 28,300 positions August, with growth in all three subcategories, ABC reported.
One of Europe’s Largest Hybrid Timber Buildings Nears Completion
Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) said the Luxembourg Airport’s Skypark Business Centre (SBC) is almost fully enclosed and on track to open in the coming months, Wood Central reported.
US National Interagency Fire Center Wildfire Update as of September 9th
As of Monday, 67 large active wildfires are being managed with full suppression strategies nationwide. Current wildfires have burned 2,146,170 acres.
US Nonfarm Payroll Increases by 142,000 in August; Unemployment Inches Lower to 4.2%
Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 142,000 in August. This is below the average monthly gain of 202,000 over the previous 12 months.
Construction Sector Employment Leads August Nonfarm Payroll Report Higher
Employment in the construction sector increased by 34,000 positions in August, up from a gain of 13,000 in July, the BLS and NAHB reported.
Sweden’s Sveaskog Announces Timber Price Increase
Sveaskog announced that it was raising the prices on timber and pulpwood in large parts of the country. This marks the third increase this year.
Thailand’s S.Kijchai Enterprise Building Third MDF Plant in Rayong Province
Siempelkamp announced that Thai wood-based panel producer S.Kijchai Enterprise has placed an order for a new MDF plant—the company’s third.
Stora Enso Resumes Harvesting in Finland After Completing Harvesting Site Inspections
Stora Enso has completed its inspections of harvesting sites in Finland with high nature values following the environmental violation in Hukkajoki, Finland, on August 15th.
Vancouver, BC, Opens School Built Entirely of Prefabricated CLT
Vancouver has completed wək̓ʷan̓əs tə syaqʷəm Elementary School, the first school building in the district to be constructed entirely of prefabricated CLT panels, Canadian Architect reported.