Articles

Consumer sentiment declined 2.0% to 68.1 in September, according to final results from the University of Michigan Survey of Consumers. Read More

Personal income increased $87.6 billion (0.4 percent at a monthly rate) in August. Disposable personal income (DPI)—personal income less personal current taxes— increased $46.6 billion (0.2 percent). Read More

Truist reported that renovation spending weakened in Q2 2023 as expected, and, so far, there has been no sign of a pickup. Read More

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.1 percent in the second quarter of 2023, according to the “third” estimate. Read More

Total construction starts rose 6% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.3 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonresidential starts rose 40% thanks to a large pickup in manufacturing and transportation buildings. Residential and nonbuilding starts fell 1% and 14%, respectively. Read More

Privately‐owned housing starts in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,283,000, 11.3% below the revised July estimate of 1,447,000 and 14.8% below the August 2022 rate of 1,505,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Read More

Flooring suppliers are truly taking their global sourcing operations worldwide. As the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) continues to cause massive disruptions to the importation of flooring products, particularly the most popular segment, luxury vinyl tile (LVT), manufacturers are proactively searching for new sourcing alternatives, spanning the globe from India to Mexico. In addition, many are significantly expanding their U.S. manufacturing operations. Read More

Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes in September fell five points to 45, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). This follows a six-point drop in August. Read More

U.S. ceramic tile consumption Q22023 YTD was down 4.7% by volume versus Q2 2022 YTD, according to the Tile Council of North America. Read More

The difference between a steam room vs sauna is that steam rooms create heat through humidity from water vapor and saunas provide dry heat from infrared light, electric heaters, or hot stones. Read More