The Lumber Word EP 164: The K-Shaped Economy—Who’s Pulling the Wagon?
Ashley, Gregg, Matt, and Charles are joined by Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist at First Trust Advisors, a bestselling author, and one of the most sought-after voices in macroeconomics today. When markets get noisy, Brian’s the guy cutting through it with data and conviction.
The crew dives into the macro forces shaping lumber—from government spending and the “K-shaped” economy to housing completions, freight spikes, and regional demand shifts.
They break down why affordability is still broken, what’s driving trucking chaos, and whether strong Southern demand can carry the market forward. Plus—how AI, migration trends, and policy decisions could reshape housing, labor, and the broader economy.
If you want to understand where lumber demand is heading (and why), this one delivers.
Timeline
00:00 – Brian Wesbury joins + macro setup
03:30 – Taxes, migration & policy shifts
08:30 – Government spending vs affordability
14:00 – Housing completions & demand outlook
16:00 – Freight spikes & supply chain issues
18:30 – Southern vs Northern demand
24:00 – The “K-shaped” economy explained
30:00 – Growth, incentives & middle class
41:00 – AI, jobs & future risks
Guest
Brian S. Wesbury
Chief Economist / First Trust
Advertiser
Fastmarkets RISI
Dustin Jalbert
Senior Economist Wood Products
Show Contacts:
Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com
Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com
Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com
Ashley Boeckholt: ashley@sitkainc.com