News
Builder Confidence Down in February
U.S. builder confidence for new single-family homes in February decreased one point from January to 82, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). The HMI component gauging current sales conditions grew one point to 90 and the measurement of sales expectations in the next six months dropped two points
Canadian Manufacturing Increases in December
Seasonally adjusted Canadian wood product sales in December 2021 were $3.82 billion (CAD), up 3.7% from November and stayed equal to the comparable month in 2020. Sales of furniture and related products totaled $1.25 billion, rising 3.6% from November and were 20.1% higher than December 2020. Canadian manufacturing sales for all industries increased 0.7% from
Canadian Housing Starts Trend Lower in January
The monthly standalone seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of Canadian housing starts in January was 230,754 units, down 3% from December 2021. The SAAR of urban starts fell 5% from December to 204,428. Multiple urban starts dropped 9% to 144,332 and single-family levels rose 7% in January to 60,096. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Hotel Reservations and Exhibit Space Available for Spring Meeting
Hotel reservations are now being accepted for CPA’s 2022 Spring Meeting, May 1-3 (departure on the 4th), at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott in Dana Point, CA. The meeting begins on Sunday with the annual golf tournament at 8am followed by the Welcome Reception at 6pm. The meeting concludes Tuesday evening with the Chairman’s Dinner following a full
USDA Introduces “Climate Smart” Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), on February 7, introduced the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program designed to expand markets for U.S. agricultural and forestry products that are produced using practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon. The $1 billion endeavor would fund short-term pilot programs that support the application of these climate-friendly
Canadian Environmental Protection Act Amendments Introduced
On February 9, the Canadian government introduced bill S-5, Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act, which would modernize the 1999 Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). During the last session of Parliament, a bill to amend CEPA was introduced but it “dropped off” the agenda in August 2021, as is protocol when a federal
Q4 Multifamily Construction Confidence Grows
Multifamily construction confidence increased in the fourth quarter of 2021, according to the Multifamily Market Survey produced by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The Multifamily Product Index (MPI) grew one point from the third quarter to 54. The MPI measures builder and developer sentiment about conditions in the market for new apartments and
U.S. Architectural Billings Flat in January
The January Architecture Billings Index (ABI) remained even with December 2021 at 51.0 according to The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Economics & Market Research Group. A score above 50 indicates growth in billings. Design contracts increased 0.6 points to 56.1. January billings were in positive territory for the South and Midwest only, while the
December 2021 Canadian Furniture and Building Material Sales Decline
Canadian retail furniture store sales in December 2021 fell 10.2% from November to $1.1 billion (CAD) but grew 2.4% from the same month in 2020. Sales of building material dealers decreased 5% from November to $3.9 billion and were 3.5% lower than the previous year. Total Canadian retail sales fell 1.8% to $57.0 billion from
Spring Meeting Registration Now Open
Registration for CPA’s 2022 Spring Meeting, May 1-3 (departure on the 4th), at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott in Dana Point, CA is now available. The meeting begins on Sunday with the annual golf tournament at 8am followed by the Welcome Reception at 6pm. The meeting concludes Tuesday evening with the Chairman’s Dinner following a full day’s
January Safety Report Now Available
The January Safety Report is now available.
U.S. Housing Starts Down in January
U.S. housing starts in January were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.64 million, decreasing 4.1% from the December 2021 estimate but 0.8% higher than the comparable month last year. Single-family housing starts fell 5.6% from December to 1.12 million. U.S. building permits in January were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.90