random lengths
Steep early week drops in futures, Thursday's stock market plunge, and stifling heat across much of the eastern half of the U.S. created a difficult atmosphere in which to trade wood products. Concerns about the U.S. economy dominated talk in markets, and many buyers pulled back to digest the week's developments. After stronger-than-expected trading in July, prices of many key framing lumber items tipped over the top and moved down. These losses were largely offset by early gains in Southern Pine.
Week
Aug 5 |
Week
Jul 29 |
Year Ago
2010 |
|
Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price* |
$272
|
$273 |
$247
|
KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price |
242
|
256
|
218 |
KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes |
336
|
339 |
325
|
Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland) |
250
|
248 | 175 |
Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L |
277
|
272 |
234
|
KD Coast Hem-Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L |
270
|
277
|
225
|
Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L |
545
|
550
|
555
|
* Weighted average of 15 key items |
Structural panel prices gained amid a lukewarm trading pace. Prices remained on an upward track in OSB markets. Thursday's historic dive in the stock market gave pause to a number of traders, but the market overall remained on a firm footing. Southern Pine plywood sales lagged the pace at the end of last week, but mills put together enough business to sustain order files and support firm to higher prices. Western Fir plywood sales slowed, as buyers digested earlier orders and avoided purchases for extended shipment.
(f.o.b. mill prices) |
Week
Aug 5 |
Week
Jul 29 |
Year Ago
2010 |
Random Lengths Structural Panel Composite Price* |
$288
|
$284
|
$297
|
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 3-ply exterior sheathing plywood | 287-320 |
287-317
|
315-335
|
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 4-ply exterior sheathing plywood |
295-325
|
295-325
|
320-335
|
Western 1/2-inch 4-ply exterior sheathing plywood | 312 | 307 |
314
|
North Central 7/16-inch Oriented Strand Board | 187 |
178
|
165
|
*Weighted average of 11 key items |