Consumer Sentiment Declined 1.9% to 55.5 in Early March
Ann Arbor, MI, March 13, 2026—Consumer sentiment declined 1.9% to 55.5 in early March, according to preliminary results from the University of Michigan Survey of Consumers.
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.
California Finds Synthetic Turf Poses No Significant Health Risks
Sacramento, CA, March 13, 2026—The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment California Environmental Protection Agency has released the findings of its Synthetic Turf Study: Assessment of Health Risks from Exposure to Chemicals in Crumb Rubber Infill.
Orders for Manufactured Goods Declined Slightly in January
Washington, DC, March 13, 2026—New orders for manufactured durable goods in January, down three of the last four months, decreased $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $321.2 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced. This followed a 0.9% December decrease.
Antidumping Duties on Engineered Wood to Be Published Dec. 31
Sterling, VA, March 13, 2026-- The U.S. Department of Commerce has begun its administrative review of antidumping duties on engineered wood flooring that was imported from China from December 1, 2024, through November 30, 2025, reports Decorative Hardwoods Association.
Trade Deficit Narrowed by $17.5 Billion in January
Washington, DC, March 12, 2025--The January decrease in the goods and services deficit reflected a decrease in the goods deficit of $17.5 billion to $81.8 billion and an increase in the services surplus of $1.0 billion to $27.3 billion, according to the Department of Commerce.
More Homebuyers Considering Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
New York, NY, March 12, 2026—"Americans are reconsidering adjustable-rate mortgages as a way to cut the cost of buying a home in the short term,” reports the Wall Street Journal.
Near-Record Number of Homeowners Listing Unsold Homes as Rentals
Seattle, WA, March 11, 2026—A near-record (and rising) share of homeowners are turning their unsold properties into rentals, according to new research from Zillow
Initial Jobless Claims Declined by 1,000 in Week Ending March 7
Washington, DC, March 12, 2025--In the week ending March 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 213,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised level, according to the Department of Labor.
AHF Raises Sign on Cartersville, GA Rigid Core Plant
Mountville, PA, March 12, 2026—AHF Products raised its sign on the Cartersville, Georgia rigid core plant that it acquired in November 2025.
Inflation Steady at 2.4% in February
Washington, DC, March 11, 2026-The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis in February, after rising 0.2% in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Over the last 12 months, the all-items index increased 2.4% before seasonal adjustment.