According to analysis provided by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the volume of 1–4-unit residential construction loans made by FDIC-insured institutions increased 6% during Q3 of 2021. The volume of loans rose by $4.9 billion during the quarter.
Wood Markets News
West Fraser Temporarily Eliminates Weekend Shift at Williams Lake Plywood Mill
According to West Fraser corporate spokesperson Joyce Wagenaar, “As a result of the significant flooding in southern B.C., the province is now facing serious transportation and logistics issues impacting highways, rail, and our ports.” West Fraser’s Williams Lake mills will be operating at its usual Monday through Friday schedules; however, the company is temporarily curtailing its weekend shift at its plywood mill.
U.S. Housing Prices Increased 18.5% Year-Over-Year in Q3 2021
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced today (11-30-21) their Housing Price Index (HPI) for Q3 2021. According to the report, year-over-year (Q3 2020 – Q3 2021) home prices rose 18.5%. When compared to Q2 of 2021, they were 4.2% higher. FHFA’s seasonally adjusted monthly price index for September was up 0.9% from August.
Canadian Real GDP by Industry Increased 0.1% in September, Held Back by Five Consecutive Months of Construction Declines
Statistics Canada (StatsCan) reported today (11-30-21) that real gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.1% in September. This occurred as declines in the manufacturing, construction, and retail trades were more than compensated for by expansions in service-producing industries, mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction. However, for the fifth consecutive month construction declined, down -0.7% in September.
S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index Increases 19.5% Annually in September
According to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index, which covers all nine U.S. Census divisions, reported today (11-30-21) that home prices experienced a 19.5% annual gain in September — down from the 19.8% annual gain in August 2021.
Consumer Confidence Declined in November
The Conference Board, a non-partisan, not-for-profit think tank founded in 1916, released today (11-30-21) their Consumer Confidence Index® (CCI) for November 2021. The CCI declined in November following an uptick in October and decreases in August, July, and June. The Index now stands at 109.5 (1985=100), down from 111.6 in October.
Skeena Sawmills Suspends Terrace, B.C. Sawmill Production for One Week Due to Lack of Logs
Skeena Sawmills has announced that they are temporarily suspended operations at their Terrace, B.C. sawmill this week. This is the result of a lack of sufficient log deck to justify operations. The mill is scheduled to re-open next week.
Pending Homes Sales Up 7.5% in October 2021
The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) reported on Monday (11-29-21) that their Pending Homes Sales Index (PHSI) — based on signed real estate contracts, not actual closings for existing single-family homes, condominiums, and co-ops — increased 7.5% month-over-month in October 2021 to a reading of 125.2.
Canadian Pacific Railways’ Acquisition of the Kansas City Southern Railroad Moves One Step Closer to Reality With Mexican Regulators’ Approval
Canadian Pacific’s (CP) $31 billion plan to acquire the Kanas City Southern Railroad (KCS), creating a railroad that will link Canada, the US, and Mexico, cleared a major hurdle with the approval of Mexican regulators. The CP said on Friday that the US Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) review of the deal is expected to continue into the fourth quarter of next year.
California’s Wildfires Are Out, but Timber Industry’s Problems Are Beginning
In California, wildfires are an expected occurrence for the state’s timber industry and natural and restorative to these ecosystems. However, the severity of wildfires in 2020 and 2021 are expected to result in significant — some are calling it catastrophic — destruction in the timber industry, posing a threat to 32 million acres of territory blanketed by forests and the people who live and work there.