Smith Leonard’s latest Monthly Furniture Insight survey of residential furniture manufacturers and distributors continues to show ongoing improvement. The survey considered a 40% increase in new orders over October 2019.
Wood Markets News
AB Karl Hedin Announces Expansion of Krylbo Sawmill Facility
AB Karl Hedin, one of Sweden’s leading privately owned wood groups, has announced their intention to build a new planing mill, with extra storage capacity and further timber kiln drying facilities at its sawmill in Krylbo, Avesta. The Krylbo spruce-pine sawmill has an annual production of capacity of 215,000m3.
Construction Sector Adds Jobs in December Despite Nonfarm Payroll Overall Decline
A deeper look into the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) December nonfarm payroll employment report reveals that while total nonfarm payroll employment declined by 140,000 and the unemployment rate held steady at 6.7%, the construction industry sector added new jobs.
The Number of Homes For Sale in U.S. Hits New Record Low Level in December
According to the Monthly Housing Trends Report published by Realtor.com, the number of U.S. homes for sale dipped below 700,000 for the first time, setting a new record low mark for listed inventory. Year-over-year, the number of homes for sale nationally was down by 39.6%, with 449,000 fewer homes for sale when compared to December 2019.
Delinquency Rates on Commercial and Multifamily Properties Increase for Second Consecutive Month in December
According to the latest Mortgage Banker Association’s (MBA) latest monthly MBA CREF Loan Performance Survey, the delinquency rates for mortgages backed by commercial and multifamily properties, which includes lodging and retail properties, increased for the second consecutive month in December.
Nonfarm Payroll Declines in December
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is reporting that in December total nonfarm payroll employment declined by 140,000. The unemployment rate held steady at 6.7%, or 10.7 million unemployed persons.
Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index® Declines for Second Consecutive Month
According to the Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index® (HPSI), consumer confidence in home-buying and home-selling declined from November’s reading of 80.0 to a reading of 74.0 in December. The HPSI is now at its lowest level since May 2020.
Fire Destroys Scotch Plywood Company’s Veneer Mill in Waynesboro Mississippi
Devastating fire reported at Scotch Plywood mill in Waynesboro, MS.
A Look at Kalesnikoff’s New $35 million State of the Art Mass Timber Facility
Kalesnikoff Lumber is a fourth-generation family-owned company based in Castlegar, B.C. with roots that date back to 1939, when three brothers began a logging business on the nearby mountainside. That developed in the late 1960’s to a sawmill, and then came a dry kiln and planner operation.
Mortgage Rates Set New Record Low Level in the Week Ending January 7th, 2021
Freddie Mac has released its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) for the week ending January 7th, 2021. The PMMS reports that 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 2.65% with an average 0.7 point down from last week when it averaged 2.67%.