Existing-Home Sales Fell 1.5% in December, Hitting Decade Low
Washington, D.C., January 20, 2023--Existing-home sales retreated for the 11th consecutive month in December, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Today's Flooring News
Keep up to date with the most recent news in the flooring industry. Today's News...As it happens! We update this news several times a day so you can stay connected.
Jobless Claims Fall for Third Week in a Row
Washington, D.C., January 20, 2023--In the week ending January 14, 2023, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims for unemployment insurance was 190,000, a decrease of 15,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 205,000, according to the Department of Labor.
Total Housing Starts Slid in December, but Single-Family Grew
Washington, D.C., January 20, 2023--Privately owned housing starts in December were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,382,000, which is 1.4% below the revised November estimate of 1,401,000 and 21.8% below the December 2021 rate of 1,768,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Georgia Ports Increasing Capacity Following Record Volume in 2022
Savannah, GA, January 20, 2023--The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) in 2022 handled 5.9 million 20-foot equivalent units--more containers than ever before and a 5% increase over 2021--as gluts of imports caused widespread port backups, reports FreightWaves, a news source covering the logistics industry.
Polysport Expands Partnership with Conica Sports Flooring
Nashville, TN, January 20, 2023--Polysport, a national installation company for sport surfacing solutions, has entered into an exclusive agreement with Conica, a Switzerland-based producer of sports and recreational flooring.
Remodeling Activity Expected to Go From 16.3% to 2.6% This Year
Cambridge, MA, January 19, 2023--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.
Mortgage Applications Increase for Second Week in a Row
Washington, DC, January 19, 2023--Mortgage applications increased 27.9% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending January 13, 2023.
U.S. Tile Consumption Increased in Q3 2022, Despite Rising Prices
Anderson, SC, January 19, 2023--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.
Industrial Production Dipped in December
Washington, DC, January 19, 2023--Industrial production decreased 0.7% in December and 1.7% at an annual rate in the fourth quarter, according to the Federal Reserve.
Vinyl Institute Establishes Grant Program for PVC Recycling
Washington, DC, January 19, 2023--The Vinyl Institute (VI), a U.S. trade association representing the leading manufacturers of vinyl, announces the formation of VIABILITY, an industry-wide recycling grant program aimed at accelerating post-consumer PVC recycling across the country.