Quikrete Industry Dashboard

The latest Quikrete Industry Dashboard includes the latest update for unemployment from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 175,000 in April, and the unemployment rate changed little at 3.9 percent, the burea reported Friday morning. Job gains occurred in health care, in social assistance, and in transportation and warehousing.

Meanwhile, the stock watch shows a wide range of perfomances, include Tractor Supply Company, up 3.9% since last month, and the doubling of stock prices since a year ago of Builders FirstSource.

Both Masco Corp. and Sherwin-Williams Company are up more than 30% from this same time last year.

Month-over-month the big boxes went lower with Home Depot stocks down 7% from last month and Lowe’s down 5%.

Looking at gas prices, AAA reported that the national average for a gallon of gas waffled up and down over the past week before settling higher by two cents at $3.67.

The slight increase in pump prices, said AAA, happened despite a lull in domestic gasoline demand and falling oil prices.

Consumer Confidence slipped to 97 for April, from 103 the previous month of March. 

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Coming next: Monthly sales data will be released on May 15, followed by residential construction numbers on May 16.