Articles

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022, after increasing 3.2 percent in the third quarter. Read More

Through 3Q 2022, total U.S. ceramic tile consumption was up 1.3% by volume year over year, reports the Tile Council of North America. Read More

After several years of double-digit gains, expenditures for improvements and repairs to the owner-occupied housing stock are expected to grow only modestly in 2023, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) released today by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. Read More

A modest drop in interest rates helped to end a string of 12 straight monthly declines in builder confidence levels, although sentiment remains in bearish territory as builders continue to grapple with elevated construction costs, building material supply chain disruptions and challenging affordability conditions. Read More

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers declined 0.1% in December on a seasonally adjusted basis, after increasing 0.1% in November, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. Read More

Despite the severe difficulties caused by soaring costs, in 2022 the Italian ceramic tile industry’s production, sales and export volumes remained stable at the previous year’s levels. Read More

The tile category is putting its best foot forward to guarantee products that consumers can rely on in the new year. Even amid unpredictability in the overall economy, tile’s wide array of stylish, high-performing options are set to keep the category afloat this year. Read More

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Dodge Construction Network, improved 6.6% (2000=100) in December to 222.2 from the revised November reading of 208.3. In December, the commercial component of the DMI rose 8.4%, and the institutional component ticked up 2.7%. Read More

U.S. floor coverings manufacturer sales (shipments minus exports plus imports) growth continued to slow in the fourth quarter of 2022 as mortgage interest rates topped 7.0%. In the fourth quarter, dollar sales could have increased by 2.4%, while square foot sales could have dropped by 5.5%. Square foot sales dropped as housing demand decreased. Read More

Construction contractors are less optimistic about many private-sector segments than they were a year ago, but their expectations for the public sector market have remained relatively bullish, according to survey results released by the Associated General Contractors of America and Sage. The findings are detailed in High Hopes for Public Sector Funding Amid Workforce and Supply Chain Challenges: The 2023 Construction Hiring & Business Outlook. Read More