Statistics Canada (StatsCan) is reported today (10-4-21) that the nationwide total of building permits decreased -2.1% month-over-month in August to $9.7 billion (CAD). The report notes that while most of the provinces reported increases in building permits, significant declines in British Columbia and Ontario resulted in the lower month-over-month loss.
Wood Markets News
52 Large Wildfire Continue to Burn Across the U.S. with Only 1 is Listed as Contained
The National Interagency Fire Center reported today (10-4-21) that there are 52 large wildfires burning nationally on over 2,985,979 acres. No new large fires were being reported as of today.
Smith Leonard Reports Residential Furniture Sales Declined -11% Year-Over-Year in July
Smith Leonard’s latest Monthly Furniture Insight® survey of residential furniture manufacturers and distributors reported that for the first time since June 2020, new orders in July 2021 were down compared to the same month of 2020. New orders were down -11% compared to July 2020.
Analysis of Q2 2021 Real GDP at State-Level Released
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), with analysis provided by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), real gross domestic product (GDP) increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbian in Q2 of 2021, when compared with Q1 of 2021. The increases in real GDP ranged from 9.7% in Nevada to 1.8% in Alaska.
Construction Spending in August Up 8.9% Year-Over-Year — Virtually Unchanged Month-Over-Month
The U.S. Census Bureau has announced that total construction spending during August 2021 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $1,584.1 billion, virtually unchanged from the revised July estimate of $1,584.0 billion. The August figure is 8.9% above the August 2020 estimate of $1,455.0 billion.
U.S. and Vietnam Reach Agreement Over Illegally Harvested and Traded Timber
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) said in an emailed statement on Friday (10-1-21) that the U.S. and Vietnam have reached an agreement over illegally harvested and traded timber that will see Vietnam avert punitive tariffs in the process.
Canadian GDP Edges Lower in July 2021
Statistics Canada (StatsCan) reported today (10-1-21) the real gross domestic product (GDP) in Canada edged lower -0.1% in July. This follows a 0.6% increase in June. Total economic activity in July was approximately -2% below the pre-pandemic level of February 2020.
University of Michigan Final Consumer Sentiment Index Increases for September 2021
The University of Michigan today (Friday 10-1-21), released its Final Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI) for September. The Index of Consumer Sentiment increased to a reading of 72.8 in September, up from 70.3 in August — a month-over-month increase +3.6% but -9.5% decrease year-over-year (80.4 in September 2020).
Personal Income and Outlay Both Increased in August 2021
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported on Friday (10-1-21) that according to their estimates, personal income (PI) increased $35.5 billion, or 0.2%, in August. Disposable personal income (DPI) increased $18.9 billion, or 0.1%, in August.
EACOM Timber to Invest $10 million to Upgrade Housing at Gogama Mill
Recognizing that workers in remote areas live a large portion of the year on the sawmill’s site, EACOM Timber company has announced its intention to invest $10 million (CAD) to replace the Gogama sawmill’s aging housing facilities.