The total value of building permits in Canada increased 13.5% month-over-month in January to $10.8 billion (CAD).
Wood Markets News
Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index Increases for Third Consecutive Month in February
The Fannie Mae Home Purchasing Sentiment Index® (HPSI) increased 2.1 points in February to a reading of 72.8.
Construction Sector Employment Slips in January’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey
The construction labor market experienced a decline in construction job openings in January, NAHB analysis shows.
Fixed-Rate Mortgages Edge Lower in the Week Ending March 7th
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.88%, down from last week when it averaged 6.94%, Freddie Mac reported.
US Weekly Jobless Claims Unchanged in the Week Ending March 2nd
The advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 217,000 during the week ending March 2nd, unchanged from last week.
Private Sector Job Cuts Increase 3.0% Month-Over-Month in February
US-based employers announced 84,638 job cuts in February, a 3.0% increase from January, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.
Oregon’s State Forester to Recommend Moving Forward With Controversial Habitat Conservation Plan
Oregon’s state forester will recommend moving forward with the controversial logging plan for 634,000 acres of state forest, The Salem Statesman Journal reported.
Junnikkala Commissions New Sawmill in Oulu, Finland
Finland’s Junnikkala recently commissioned its new €70 million sawmill in Oulu, Finland. The planned annual production is 350,000 m3 of sawn timber.
Construction Scheduled to Begin on Portland, Oregon’s Newest CLT Building
The construction of a 12-story, 51,388-square-foot, CLT building in downtown Portland, Oregon, is scheduled to begin construction in just a few months, DJC Oregon reported.
Mortgage Applications Increase in the Week Ending March 1st
Mortgage loan application volume increased 9.7% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier, the MBA reported.