Benjamin Moore CEO Dan Calkins said consumers cut back on paint purchases due to high inflation and rising rates.
Existing home sales fell 3.6% in March to a 3.98 million annual rate, a nine‑month low, amid Middle East conflict‑driven gas price spikes.
The average 30‑year mortgage rate rose to 6.30% as of April 30, up from 6.15% at 2025 year‑end, curbing housing affordability.
Premium‑product buyers are trading down to mid‑range items as they allocate more of their budget to gas and groceries.