According to the Forest Products Association of Canada, as Canada transitions to a net-zero carbon economy by 2050, Canada’s sustainably managed forests and the carbon-storing wood products they produce are providing key support to accomplishing that goal. Canada’s forest sector has already reduced its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by close to 70 percent since the early 1990’s.
Wood Markets News
Commercial and Multifamily Mortgage Delinquency Rates Declined Slightly in September
According to the latest Mortgage Banker Association’s CREF Loan Performance Survey, delinquency rates for mortgages backed by commercial and multifamily properties declined slightly in September. The survey indicated that 96.7% of outstanding loan balances were current, up from 96.6% in August 2021.
Good Time to Buy a Home? Good Time to Sell a Home? Opinions Vary
The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index® (HPSI) declined 1.2 points in September to a reading of 74.5. This occurred as survey respondents continue to report opposing opinions of homebuying and home-selling market conditions.
Canadian Employment Increased and Unemployment Declined for the Fourth Consecutive Month in September
Statistics Canada reported today (10-8-21) that employment increased for the fourth consecutive month in September, rising by 157,000 (+0.8%). Employment gains in September were concentrated in full-time work and among people in the core working age group of 25 to 54.
Total Nonfarm Payroll Increases by 194,000 in September; Unemployment Drops to 4.8%
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today (10-8-21) that total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 194,000 in September. This follows an increase of 235,000 in August, a revised 1.1 million in July, and a revised 962,000 increase in June. Nonfarm payroll employment has increased by 17.4 million since April 2020 but is down by -5.0 million, or -3.3%, from its pre-pandemic level in February 2020.
Sierra Pacific Industries Completes Acquisition of Seneca
Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI), the Anderson California-based forest products company, announced last week that it has completed its acquisition of Seneca, a Eugene Oregon-based company that, prior to the acquisition, had about 400 employees and owned about 167,000 acres of timberlands.
BID Group Selected to Deliver New Sawmill at Georgia-Pacific’s Pineland, Texas Operation
The BID Group, one of the largest integrated suppliers to the wood processing industry and the North American leader in the field, has received an order from Georgia-Pacific to deliver a new sawmill at its Pineland, Texas operation. The new sawmill will replace the existing stud sawmill.
Softwood Logs Shipping Off of Kangaroo Island to Support South Australia’s Booming Housing Industry
Help to support Australia’s booming housing construction industry will soon be on its way. Up to 60,000 tons of softwood logs, some of them bushfire-affected, will soon be shipping off of Kangaroo Island.
SDS Lumber and Timber Co. Reveals the Names of the Company’s Buyers
SDS Lumber and Timber Co. has been a forest products industry fixture since the 1940’s. The Bingen, Washington-based company manages nearly 100,000 acres of Pacific Northwest forest reserves on top of it mill operations. Late last week, a consortium of three separate entities were announced as the new owners.
Mortgage Rates Fall Back Below 3% During the Week Ending October 7, 2021
Freddie Mac has released its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) for the week ending October 7, 2021. The PMMS reports that 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 2.99% with an average 0.7 point, down slightly from last week when it averaged 3.01%. A year ago, at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 2.87%.