Single-Family Permits Decline in August 2023

Over the first eight months of 2023, the total number of single-family permits issued year-to-date (YTD) nationwide reached 615,453. On a year-over-year (YoY) basis, this is 15.6% below the August 2022 level of 728,866. Year-to-date ending in August, single-family permits declined in all four regions. The range of permit decline spanned 10.7% in the Northeast…

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Building Materials Price Inflation Cools in September

According to the latest Producer Price Index report, the price level of inputs to residential construction less energy (i.e., building materials) was unchanged in September (not seasonally adjusted) after climbing 0.4% in August.  Prices have increased 0.8%, year-to-date, the smallest YTD gain through September since 2019. The Producer Price Index for all final demand goods rose…

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Total Credit Outstanding Declines as Interest Rates Climb

According to the Federal Reserve’s latest G.19 Consumer Credit report, total consumer credit outstanding totaled $4.97 trillion (seasonally adjusted annual rate) in August, a decrease of $15.6 billion over the month but $188.8 billion—or 3.9%–higher than August 2022. The monthly decline resulted from a 0.8% drop in nonrevolving credit outstanding that was partially offset by a…

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