“BlueTarp Financial – the leading credit management company for B2B suppliers – released its Q4 2018 Building Supply Index. The Q4 2018 seasonally unadjusted average declined from 131.39 in 2017 to 130.73 the first year-over-year slowdown since Q2 2016. The decline was driven by a drop in consumer confidence that peaked at 137.9 in October, the highest in nearly two decades, but saw a dip to 128.1 in December. BlueTarp’s supplemental survey revealed that contractor’s confidence in the future health of the economy continues to waver. Nearly 30% think that the next 12 months will decline in some way. Only 40% of contractors think the economy would improve, a 20% decrease from last quarter. Contractors revealed more uncertainty caused by rising tariffs, interest rates, and trade issues.”

Mountain States Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association has provided legislative advocacy, education, and leadership development for the lumber and building materials industry since 1891. We serve Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. To learn more, visit https://mslbmda.org.