According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Producer Price Index (PPI) report, with analysis provided by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the price of goods used in residential construction, less energy and not seasonally adjusted, increased 1.6% in February 2022.
Wood Markets News
Building Materials and Supplies Lead Canadian Wholesale Sector Sales Higher in January
Statistics Canada (StatsCan) reported today (3-16-22) that sales in the wholesale sector rose 4.2% in January to $79.8 billion (CAD). The increase in January marks the sixths consecutive month of growth in the sector and the is the largest since June 2020. Five of the seven subsectors posted gains.
Home Builder Sentiment Declines for Fourth Consecutive Month in March
On Wednesday (3-16-22), The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) reported that builder sentiment in the market for newly built single-family homes edged 2-points lower in March to a reading of 79. Despite four consecutive monthly declines, the HMI has posted solid reading for the past 6-months.
Mortgage Applications Decline in Week Ending March 11, 2022
According to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Application Survey (WMAS), for the week ending March 11, 2022, the Market Composite Index (a measure of mortgage loan application volume) declined -1.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.
Koskisen Group to Discontinue Russian Sawing Operations and Stop Importing Sawn Goods and Logs From Russia
Koskisen Group, a Finland based, family-owned company found more than a 100-years ago, has announced that it has decided to discontinue its operations in Russia. According to the news release, the company will close out its Russian’s sawing operations and stop importing sawn goods and logs from Russia.
Canadian Home Sales Increased in February
The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) reported today (3-15-22) that national homes sales in Canada were up in February 2022, as buyers took advantage of early spring listings. Home sales recorded over Canadian MLS® Systems climbed 4.6% between January and February 2022.
Estonia’s Trade Associations Seek Tree Felling Relief During Russia–Ukraine War
A joint communique sent to Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas from the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Estonian Employers’ Confederation, and the Trade Unions Confederation reads, “The war in Ukraine and the necessary sanctions it has caused have left Estonian companies short on materials that is mainly a risk for the forestry and timber sector and companies therein.”
Canadian Manufacturers Call On the CP Railway and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference to Avoid Labor Disruption of Service
With a strike deadline just hours away, the Canadian Manufacturing Coalition (CMC), a group made up of 16 of Canada’s manufacturing trade associations, issued a statement urging the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference to reach an immediate agreement and avoid labor disruptions.
Canadian Manufacturing Sales Increase for Fourth Consecutive Month in January 2022
Statistics Canada (StatsCan) reported today (3-15-22) that manufacturing sales rose for the fourth consecutive month—up 0.6% to $64.8 billion in January on higher sales in 14 of 21 industries, led by the petroleum and coal (+6.8%) and wood (+6.5%) product industries. The gain was partially offset by lower sales of motor vehicles (-17.5%).
Producer Price Index for Final Demand Increased 0.8% February 2022
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today (3-15-22) that the Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand, seasonally adjusted, increased 0.8% in February. This rise followed advances of 1.2% in January and 0.4% in December 2021. On an unadjusted basis, final demand prices moved up 10.0% for the 12 months ended in February.