David Logan

Lumber and Steel Products Lead Building Materials Prices Lower

According to the latest Producer Price Index report, the price level of inputs to residential construction less energy (i.e., building materials) declined 0.1% in October (not seasonally adjusted) following a 0.2% increase in September.  The index has increased 1.0%, year-to-date, marking the smallest YTD gain through October since it fell 0.1% over the first 10 months…

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Consumer Debt Grows at Slowest Pace Since 2020

Consumer credit outstanding growth slowed to 0.4% in the third quarter of 2023 (SAAR) according to the Federal Reserve’s latest G.19 Consumer Credit report, as revolving debt grew 8.6% and nonrevolving debt declined 2.4%. On a monthly basis, revolving credit outstanding increased just 3.0% in September after surging 14.6% in August (SAAR). Total consumer credit…

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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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