Economic Indicators Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics

New home sales surge in July to 13-year high

Consumers are being driven by low interest rates, a growing focus on the importance of housing and a shift in buyers seeking homes in lower density areas," said Chuck Fowke, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a custom home builder from Tampa, Fla. "Despite these positive conditions, affordability challenges remain especially as builders are dealing with building cost increases, including a dramatic rise in lumber costs in recent months." Read More

Ceramic Tile Statistics Economic Indicators Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics Stone Statistics

NAFCD Distributors Report Q2 Sales Decline

"Our distributor members have weathered the worst of the storm and are now seeing their businesses continue to grow each month," commented Kevin Gammonley, NAFCD executive vice president. "The negative impact of the shutdown has not been as severe as initially feared." Read More

Economic Indicators Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics

Multifamily builder confidence up in Q2

"The multifamily market continues to make its way back toward pre-pandemic levels, with recent starts data coming in above forecast," said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. "Demand remains subdued due to elevated unemployment rates, while on the supply-side of the market builders and developers are dealing with a significant increase in lumber prices, which could hinder further recovery of the market." Read More

Economic Indicators Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics

Strong July for housing starts

"Strong builder confidence and heavy buyer traffic point to further production gains in the near term, but the more than 110 percent jump in lumber prices since mid-April is adding approximately $14,000 to the cost of each new single-family home," said Chuck Fowke, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a custom home builder from Tampa, Fla. Read More

Economic Indicators Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics

Builder confidence matches all-time high

"The demand for new single-family homes continues to be strong, as low interest rates and a focus on the importance of housing has stoked buyer traffic to all-time highs as measured on the HMI," said NAHB chairman Chuck Fowke, a custom home builder from Tampa, Fla. "However, the V-shaped recovery for housing has produced a staggering increase for lumber prices, which have more than doubled since mid-April. Such cost increases could dampen momentum in the housing market this fall, despite historically low interest rates." Read More

Economic Indicators Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics

Housing affordability hits 18-month low

Despite low interest rates, a supply shortage coupled with rising home prices contributed to a decline in housing affordability in the second quarter of 2020, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) released today.   Read More

Ceramic Tile Statistics Economic Indicators Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics Reports Stone Statistics

Stats 2019: Tile’s slight uptick

In 2019, the ceramic floor and wall tile segment performed at a rate comparable to the previous year. According to Catalina Research, the category posted sales (in manufacturer’s dollars) of $3.9 billion, accounting for 14.1 percent of the total floor covering sales in 2019 — a 0.7 percent increase.  Read More

Ceramic Tile Statistics Economic Indicators Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics Reports Stone Statistics

marketWise review of the Floor Covering Industry 2019 Results

Daltile invented the manufacturer/distributor/sales office hybrid. It is a manufacturer, distributor with warehouses and has more than 200 sales offices selling to contractors, end users, etc. Emser has 78 regional locations and MSI has 25. All are pretty much national in scope and carry mostly its own brands. They are exceptional companies and continue to outpace the industry.   Read More

Economic Indicators Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics

BEA News: Gross Domestic Product, 2nd Quarter 2020 (Advance Estimate) and Annual Update

Real gross domestic product (GDP) decreased at an annual rate of 32.9 percent in the second quarter of 2020, according to the “advance” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the first quarter of 2020, real GDP decreased 5.0 percent. Read More

Economic Indicators Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics

Builder Confidence in 55+ Housing Market Bounces Back

"Low supply of existing homes and low interest rates are key factors in helping the 55+ housing market bounce back to where it was at the beginning of the year," said Harry Miller III, chairman of NAHB's 55+ Housing Industry Council and president of Regal Builders LLC in Dover, Del Read More