Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 119,000 in September and the unemployment rate was 4.4%.
Wood Markets News
US Weekly Initial Jobless Claims Decline in the Week Ending November 15
The advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 220,000, a decrease of 84,000 from the previous week.
Hampton Lumber Breaks Ground on New Sawmill in Fairfax, SC
Hampton Lumber broke ground in Fairfax, South Carolina, on a $225 million sawmill expected to be fully operational in 2027, Bluffton Today reported.
Arbec to Indefinitely Close Its Amos, QC, OSB Mill
Arbec Forest Products will suspend operations indefinitely at its Amos, Quebec, OSB mill on December 20, Unifor Quebec said.
ThirdGen Timber Group Acquires Majority Stake in Canadian Timberframes
ThirdGen Timber Group acquired a majority stake in Canadian Timberframes, expanding its capacity across log homes, timber frames, and mass timber construction.
Council of the EU Pushes for Full One-Year Delay of EUDR
The Council of the EU approved a mandate to simplify the EUDR and delay its application to December 2026, with extra time for small firms.
US Mortgage Applications Fall in the Week Ending November 14
Mortgage loan application volume fell 5.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis, with refinance and purchase activity both lower, MBA reported.
Investment in Canadian Building Construction Declines in September
Canadian building construction investment fell 1.1% to CA$22.4 billion in September, while overall Q3 investment rose 0.6% to $67.7 billion.
US Builder Confidence for Newly Built Single-Family Homes Increases in November
Builder confidence rose to 38 in November, but sentiment remained in negative territory for the 19th straight month, NAHB reported.
Canadian Housing Starts Drop in October
Canadian housing starts fell 17% in October to 232,765 units (SAAR) as lower activity in Ontario and BC weighed on the total, CMHC reported.