News
Fall Meeting Attendee List Published; Hotel Reservation Deadline Extended
The Fall Meeting attendee list is now available online, featuring representatives from more than 60 member companies. Rooms for the September 27-29 meeting at the Hyatt Regency Savannah must be reserved by September 9 to secure the discounted group rate. Current meeting details and hotel reservation information are available online. See Annual Meetings. More Info: Anna
Unilin Names New CEO
Unilin announced the appointment of An Nuyttens as CEO. She will join the company in mid-October, succeeding Paul De Cock, who will become CEO of Mohawk Industries on September 30. Nuyttens brings over 30 years’ experience to the role, most recently serving in executive positions at Solvay. Unilin is a global manufacturer of panels and
August U.S. Consumer Confidence Dips
U.S. consumer confidence measured 89.4 in August, a decrease of 0.8 points from the adjusted July reading, according to The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index. The index gauging current business and labor market conditions climbed 6.8 points in August to 121.2. The short-term outlook index for income, business, and labor markets slid 5.8 points to
U.S. New Home Sales Down in July
U.S. sales of new single-family homes in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 607,000, falling 10.5% from June and 6.3% below the comparable month in 2025. The seasonally adjusted estimate of new homes for sale in July was 488,000, representing a 9.6-month supply at the existing sales rate. This is 1.9% higher
July U.S. Construction Spending Weakens
U.S. construction spending in July reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2.16 trillion, decreasing 0.5% from June and 3.8% year-over-year. Total public and private residential spending declined 1.3% month-over-month and 7.3% from July 2025 to $871.21 billion. Non-residential spending totaled $1.29 trillion, 0.1% higher than June but down 1.3% from the same month last
U.S. Manufacturing Index Remains Strong in August
The seasonally adjusted S&P Global U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for August held steady at July’s 53.9, the thirteenth straight month above the neutral mark of 50. Production and new order growth was mainly supported by stock building, while export demand slowed due to tariff concerns and the war in the Middle East. Employment
August 2026 Panel Shipments
August 2026 Panel Shipments Report Is Ready for Members to Review
2026 Fall Meeting Begins Next Week; Speakers Announced
There’s still time to register for the CPA Fall Meeting beginning next Sunday, September 27, at the Hyatt Regency in Savannah, GA. This year’s program features speakers addressing trade and tariffs, sustainability, and workplace safety. On Monday, Scott Lincicome, Vice President of General Economics and the Stiefel Trade Policy Center at the Cato Institute, will
August U.S. Housing Starts Decline
U.S. housing starts reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.28 million in August, slipping 2.6% from July and 1.2% below the comparable month in 2025. Single-family starts grew 7.6% from July to 918,000. U.S. building permits registered a 1.39 million annual rate in August, decreasing 2.7% from the prior month but up 3.5% year-over-year.
U.S. Builder Confidence Remains Soft in September
U.S. builder confidence for new single-family homes in September was 32, down three points from August and marking the 17th consecutive month below 40, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). The HMI component gauging current sales conditions slipped four points from August to 35. In September, the six-month
August Canadian Housing Starts Trend Weakens
In August, the standalone seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) for Canadian housing starts across all areas came in at 229,046 units, holding steady with July. The SAAR trend of urban starts fell 1.3% from the prior month to 232,571, with single-family levels 1.6% higher at 39,435 and multi-unit totals dropping 1.9% to 193,136. The six-month
Canadian Residential Building Permits Down in July
July Canadian building permits totaled $12.2 billion, decreasing 17.3% from June but up 0.9% from the comparable month last year. Residential authorizations declined 8.9% from June and 2.3% from July 2025 to $7.2 billion. Single-family building permits were $2.5 billion, down 6.2% month-over-month and 4.8% from last year. Multi-family permits dropped 10.2% from June and