On Friday (4-1-22), the U.S. Census Bureau reported that total construction spending during February 2022 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $1,704.4 billion, 0.5% above the revised January estimate of $1,695.5 billion. The February figure is 11.2% above the February 2021 estimate of $1,533.3 billion.
Wood Markets News
U.S. Nonfarm Payroll Increases by 431,000 in March; Unemployment Declines to 3.6%
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today (4-1-22) that total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 431,000 in March, following revised increases of 750,000 in February and 504,000 in January. In 2022 Q1, job growth averaged 562,000, the same average monthly gain as seen in 2021 Q1.
Canfor to Reduce Production Schedules at Western Canadian Sawmills for a Minimum of Four Weeks
Canfor Corporation announced on Wednesday afternoon (3-30-22) that effective Monday, April 4, 2022, it will be implementing reduced operating schedules at its Western Canadian sawmills. This is due the cumulative effects of the unprecedent global supply chain crisis that has been ongoing for the past several months, Canfor says.
Personal Income, Disposable Income, and Personal Consumption Expenditures All Increased in February 2022
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported on Thursday (3-31-22) that, according to their estimates, personal income (PI) increased $101.5 billion (0.5%) in February. Disposable personal income (DPI) increased $76.1 billion (0.4%) in February. Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $34.9 billion (0.2%) in February.
Canadian Real GDP Increased in January 2022, Marking Eighth Consecutive Months of Growth
Statistics Canada (StatsCan) reported today (3-31-22) that real gross domestic product (GDP) increased 0.2% in January, marking the eight consecutive month of growth. Goods-producing industries increased 0.8% in January, while the effects of the Omicron variant continued to take the wind out of the sails of services-producing industries.
Mortgage Rates Push Higher in the Week Ending March 31, 2022—The Fourth Consecutive Increase
Freddie Mac has released its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) for the week ending March 31, 2022. The PMMS reports that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.67% with an average 0.8 point, up from last week when it averaged 4.42%. A year ago, at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.18%.
Weekly Jobless Claims Increased in the Week Ending March 26, 2022
The U.S. Department of Labor is reporting that an additional 202,000 Americans made their initial filing for unemployment benefits during the week ending on Saturday, March 26, 2022. This is an increase of 14,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The 4-week moving average was 208,500—a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week’s revised average.
Canfor Pulp Products Inc. Extends Production Curtailment of BCTMP at Taylor Pulp Mill in B.C.
Canfor Pulp Products Inc. announced on Tuesday (3-29-22) that it was extending the curtailment of BCTMP production at its Taylor Pulp Vancouver, B.C. mill for a minimum of six-weeks. The curtailment extension is due to the ongoing transportation shortages that have resulted in continued high finished product inventories at the pulp mill.
Idaho Forest Group’s New Lumberton, Mississippi Sawmill Nearing Completion
In December of 2020, Idaho Forest Group announced that it was making a $120 million investment to build a green site sawmill on 174-acres in Lumberton, Mississippi. The project is now nearing completion, and the company is anticipating that the mill will be functional sometime in May or June of this year.
Verso Corporation Merger with BillerudKorsnäs AB Receives Federal and State Regulatory Approval
Verso Corporation announced on Tuesday (3-29-22) that it has received all of the necessary approvals from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to complete its previously announced merger with BillerudKorsnäs AB, a Swedish pulp and paper company.