Author: kkosman

  • US Housing Starts: July 2019

    According to estimates from the US Housing and Urban Development and the US Commerce Department, total housing starts in the US were down -4% in July, but that decline was concentrated in the multifamily sector as forward-looking rental demand softened on gains for for-sale housing affordability.Multifamily starts (2+ unit production) were off -16% in July,…

  • A Slow-Selling Lumber Market Continued Through Mid-August

    Just back from Haida Gwaii and still picking the northern Sitka spruce sap out of our hair, Madison’s quotes a large-volume North America softwood lumber trader in describing this mid-summer 2019 construction framing wood demand as a “s-lumber” market. As further sawmill curtailments were announced, specifically (again) in British Columbia, many lumber-selling players literally took…

  • Gone Fishin

    Gone Fishin Madison’s is currently enjoying the unspoiled splendour and natural beauty of Haida Gwaii, with little to no signal.Back August 16.

  • Softwood Lumber Sales Tepid as Prices Fall Further

    North American softwood lumber traders on both sides of the border described sales as sloppy and “uninspiring.” Lumber demand at the wholesaler level in Canada and the US last week was lackadaisical at best and disinterested at worst. While home construction and sales activity in the US is slowly improving, there has been no increase…

  • Madison’s “Movers & Shakers” Softwood Lumber Prices Historical Comparison

    Madison’s weekly “Movers & Shakers” softwood lumber prices historical comparison table uploaded for this week: Lackadaisical activity persisted as the Eastern Canadian construction holiday began. — Madison’s Lumber Reporter Western SPF: USA Uninspiring According to Western Spruce-Pine-Fir purveyors in the United States, last week was another example of the sloppy market that has developed over…