Key insights
- BofA data indicates a slight dip in home improvement retail spending (-1% YoY) in April, contrasting with a 4.8% increase in overall household card spending. Housing-related services spending grew 4% YoY. The mixed data suggests a potential slowdown in the DIY segment, possibly impacting retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's, but the overall consumer spending picture remains relatively stable.
Investing.com - Bank of America's April card spending data showed mixed trends in the building products sector, with overall household spending up 4.8% year-over-year while home improvement retailers saw a slight decline.
Total card spending per household, measured by Bank of America's aggregated credit and debit cards, increased 4.8% year-over-year in April. On a month-over-month seasonally adjusted basis, card spending per household rose 0.6%.
April spending at home improvement retailers, which serves as a proxy for do-it-yourself spending, decreased 1% year-over-year, though it remained 14% above April 2019 levels. This compared to a 1% year-over-year increase in March. Spending on housing-related services, a proxy for professional contractor spending, increased 4% year-over-year and was 59% higher than April 2019, down from 7% year-over-year growth in March.
Five of nine building product categories showed year-over-year increases in April. Carpentry contractors, general contractors, landscaping and horticultural services, concrete work contractors, and HVAC contractors all posted gains. Roofing sales continued to decline against strong growth last year, attributed to favorable storm demand in late 2024 and early 2025. Lumber, floor covering stores, and appliances also fell year-over-year in April.