Content about Index Librorum Prohibitorum

May 9, 2012
Industry confidence index declined in April

The American Hardware Manufacturers Association’s AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index’s Current Situation Index declined in April to 308.3 from a high of 350.0 in March (April 2008 = 100), while the Future Expectations Index also fell to 239.7 from 298.3.

In comparing current sales levels with year-ago levels, 74% of respondents said sales were higher in April versus year-ago levels, down from 84% in March. For April, 4% reported sales were even, and 22% said sales were below year-ago levels.

March 27, 2012
Mixed signals from Consumer Confidence data

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had increased in February, pulled back slightly in March. The Index now stands at 70.2 (1985=100), down from 71.6 in February. The Present Situation Index, however, increased to 51.0 from 46.4. The Expectations Index declined to 83.0 from 88.4 in February.

January 5, 2012
AHMA Confidence Index declines

The American Hardware Manufacturers Association’s AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index’s Current Situation Index declined in December to 229.2 from 266.7 in November (December 2008 = 100), while the Future Expectations Index also fell to 241.1 from 262.1.

December 23, 2011
Market Recap: RISI Crow's Construction Materials Cost Index

A price index of lumber and panels used in actual construction for Dec. 23, 2011

*Western - regional species perimeter foundation; Southern - regional species slab construction.

December 19, 2011
Market Recap: RISI Crow's Construction Materials Cost Index

 

A price index of lumber and panels used in actual construction for Dec. 16, 2011

December 7, 2011
AHMA Industry Confidence Index improves

The American Hardware Manufacturers Association’s AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index’s Current Situation Index improved in November to 266.7 from 262.5 in October (November 2008 = 100), while the Future Expectations Index also improved to 262.1 from 236.2.

December 7, 2011
Market Recap: RISI Crow's Construction Materials Cost Index

A price index of lumber and panels used in actual construction for Dec. 2, 2011

November 30, 2011
Pending home sales deliver positive data

The Pending Home Sales Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) rose in October on both a month-to-month and year-over-year basis.

The forward-looking indicator based on contract signings jumped 10.4% to an index of 93.3 in October, compared with a reading of 84.5 in September. The latest figure is up 9.2% compared with October 2010.

September 22, 2011
Remodeling continues to soar

Residential remodeling activity hit a new high in July 2011, rising 24% in year-over-year comparisons, according to an index compiled by BuildFax, a national database of building permit data. It was the 21st  straight month of increases and the highest level of remodeling activity since the index was introduced in 2004.

September 11, 2011
AHMA Industry Confidence Index improves in August

The American Hardware Manufacturers Association’s AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index’s Current Situation Index improved in August to 229.2 from 225 in July (October 2008 = 100), while the Future Expectations Index was unchanged at 193.1.

In comparing current sales levels with year-ago levels, 55% of respondents said sales were higher in August versus year-ago levels, up from 54% in July.  For August, 10% reported sales were even, and 34% said sales were below year-ago levels.

September 7, 2011
NAHB releases new “market recovery” index

The National Association of Home Builders has released a new monthly index that examines metropolitan areas that have shown sustained economic improvement. Called the NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI), the new index measures three key economic areas -- housing permits, employment and housing prices -- during a six-month or more period.

The list of metro areas on the IMI’s inaugural list include:

August 30, 2011
August brings big drop in consumer confidence reading

After an uptick in July, the Consumer Confidence Index issued by The Conference Board fell to 44.5, down from a downwardly revised 59.2 reading in July. 

The August figure is the lowest since April 2009 when the index was 40.8.

July 26, 2011
Consumer Confidence ticks upward

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had declined in June, improved slightly in July.

Released Tuesday morning, the index now stands at 59.5 (1985=100), up from a downwardly revised 57.6 in June. 

Last year, July's index stood at 51.0. The Present Situation Index decreased to 35.7 from 36.6. The Expectations Index rose to 75.4 from 71.6 last month.

July 6, 2011
AHMA releases industry confidence index

Along with the latest AHMA industry confidence index came a plea to legislators: think before you tax.

June 28, 2011
Consumer confidence slips again

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had declined in May, decreased again in June. The Index now stands at 58.5 (1985=100), down from 61.7 in May. The Present Situation Index decreased to 37.6 from 39.3. The Expectations Index declined to 72.4 from 76.7 last month.

June 24, 2011
Market Recap: RISI Crow's Construction Materials Cost Index

A price index of lumber and panels used in actual construction for June 24, 2011

April 15, 2011
Market Recap: RISI Crow's Construction Materials Cost Index

A price index of lumber and panels used in actual construction for April 15, 2011