Market Insights

Houzz Stat: Trends in kitchen cabinetry & storage
The study surveyed more than 2,700 Houzz users in the U.S. who own homes and are in the midst of a kitchen renovation, have recently completed one or are planning one in the next three months. Read on to learn what people are doing with these important rooms.
From HIRI research: lawn & garden leads by a long shot
The summer months are typically the high points for home improvement project planning, and based on the second-quarter installment of the Home Improvement Research Institute’s Project Sentiment Tracking Study, this year doesn’t seem to be different.

HBSDealer Stock Watch: Central G&P blooms

Central Garden & Pet saw the highest increase at +2.76% at the close of Monday.
Adhesive & sealant demand to reach $12.8 billion in four years

A new report from The Freedonia Group has pegged the U.S. adhesive and sealant market for slow and steady growth over the next couple of years.

According to the study, titled "Adhesives & Sealants," nationwide demand for the market is forecasted to increase 2.8% annually to 6.4 billion pounds, or $12.8 billion, in 2019. This will primarily be driven by renewed construction activity and a widening in the scope of adhesive and sealant applications.
Lawn & garden leads by a long shot

The summer months are typically the high points for home improvement project planning, and based on the second-quarter installment of the Home Improvement Research Institute’s Project Sentiment Tracking Study, this year doesn’t seem to be different.
Survey on K&B remodels shows mixed results

Results from the third-quarter survey from the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) indicated a 42% rise in showroom traffic and a 36% increase in kitchen remodel sales volumes from one year ago, as well as a significant increase -- 85% -- in bathroom sales over the third quarter of 2010. Overall, kitchen and bath remodeling revenues reported by NKBA dealer members rose 69% in year-over-year figures.
Caulk & Sealant, by the numbers

Channel analysis
Dollar sales and unit sales of the caulk and sealant category both showed year-over-year gains, according to consumer research from the Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group. But unit volume is down compared with two years ago. The warehouse home centers dominated — nearly three of every five tubes of caulk — but have trended down in the past 12 months.
S&P/Case-Shiller Index shows some improvement

The S&P/Case-Shiller Index, a leading indicator of U.S. housing prices, showed a 0.9% rise in home prices in July 2011 compared with the previous month for both its 10- and 20-city composites. This is the fourth consecutive month of increases for both indices.

In July 2011, the 10- and 20-City Composites recorded annual returns of -3.7% and -4.1%, respectively.
S&P outlook improves for home builders

Credit ratings service Standard & Poor's (S&P) delivered a guarded but upbeat assessment of U.S. home builders, reporting that “operating conditions … have improved over the past six months, and the sector's overall credit quality has steadied as a result.” The new report cites a “cautiously stable” outlook for the sector overall, but warns that that trend could backpedal later this year if the baseline residential construction forecast doesn't materialize.
S&P/Case-Shiller index fuels hope for a comeback

The S&P/Case Shiller Home Price Indeces showed positive annual growth rates in three key metrics for the first time since the summer of 2010.

“Home prices gained in the second quarter,” said David M. Blitzer, chairman of the Indx Committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices. “In this month’s report, all three composites and all 20 cities improved both in June and through the entire second quarter of 2012.”