The Last Word: The Last Word on Towns Joe Kannapell Coming soon to your town and plant are “two-over-two towns,” which I initially disdained, but not after I saw that they were just loaded with components. Even so, who would want to live in a two-story townhouse that was built over or under another two-story townhouse, and be packed... Read More February 2022 Issue #14271 Page 126
Lumber Briefs: The Answers are in Housing “Completions” Matt Layman Another Recurring Phenomenon: Starts to Completion Ratios If ever I look down and see a penny on the ground, I always pick it up and, without fail, I always do the same thing next. That is scan the surrounding area for another penny. I have been blathering on about the spread between... Read More January 2022 Issue #14270 Page 92
Business Tax Savings with Section 179 Deduction Carl Villella One of the most efficient and popular tax breaks for small to midsize businesses is the Section 179 tax deduction, and if you’re not currently taking advantage of it, you should certainly consider doing so. Here is how it is defined: Section 179 is an immediate expense deduction that... Read More December 2021 Issue #13269 Page 78
Lumber Briefs: Softwood Framing Lumber Market Forecast Matt Layman Discount the Most Recent Past How should we process the cumulative life experiences that determine our next course of action? We might say, “That depends on the circumstance.” If I got mugged today for the first time in my life, it is likely I am going to be more aware of... Read More December 2021 Issue #13269 Page 100
The Great Employee Wage Debate Todd Drummond A sign that could have appeared in any town has caused quite a stir. The message is direct: “Stimulate your ass to work—Every business in town is hiring.” [For image, See PDF or View in Full Issue.] For business leaders, it aptly voices their frustration when trying to compete... Read More November 2021 Issue #13268 Page 36
Economic Outlook and Planning in the Third Quarter Carl Villella Economic studies prepared by the multinational professional services company, KPMG, show that the pace of job gains has slowed due to the Delta variant and is leading to a reduction of economic activity in the 3rd Quarter of 2021. KPMG lowered its 3rd Quarter GDP growth numbers from 6.4% to... Read More November 2021 Issue #13268 Page 83
15 Things to Do (and Prepare for) in Coming Weeks to Finish 2021 Strong Craig Webb At least two months of hard work remain before you can finally ease up and enjoy the Holiday season. Between now and then lie numerous tasks, some ordinary (next year’s budget) and some unusual (COVID vaccination rules). Here are four vital challenges you’ll confront in coming weeks,... Read More November 2021 Issue #13268 Page 92
Lumber Briefs: Where Did All the Lumber Go in October? Matt Layman I’m hearing two conversations. Mills wonder where all the wood is going and buyers wonder if there is going to be pull back to buy, particularly in the south. Granted those are not abundant conversations because most folks are sitting fat and sassy; perfectly comfortable. Will we get a... Read More November 2021 Issue #13268 Page 104
How is the Delta Variant Affecting the Economy? Carl Villella According to a recent Wall Street Journal article written by Josh Mitchell, the economy is holding up quite well. “Resilient” is the word he used to describe the situation. “Households have plenty of money,” he quotes a chief economist as saying. While travel has... Read More October 2021 Issue #13267 Page 81
Lumber Briefs: Lumber Market Conditions and Strategies Matt Layman My rhetoric has been leaning towards the bearish side because buyers should not even be looking for lumber in October. The strategy of buying in late August to cover through early November was to avoid having to buy right now, the end of September. The lumber market should have been going up... Read More October 2021 Issue #13267 Page 102