Trading in framing lumber was active, defying
many traders’ expectations for late July’s
typical “summer lull.” Steady-to-strong
consumption was cited as the primary driver,
despite intense heat and humidity in the
Southeast and portions of the Atlantic Seaboard.
Meanwhile, summer mill shutdowns in Eastern
Canada had an effect on the supply side.
Producers’ tack toward raising prices was mixed.
But, the Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite
Price rose $6, capping four weeks of gains
through July.
| This Week Jul 29 |
Last Week Jul 22 |
Year Ago 2015 |
|
| Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price* | $363 | $357 | $340 |
| KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price | 329 | 329 | 295 |
| KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes | 431 | 427 | 380 |
| Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland) | 353 | 353 | 351 |
| Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L | 410 | 399 | 325 |
| KD Coast Hem-Fir #2&Btr 2x4 R/L | 350 | 352 | 335 |
| Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L | 705 | 705 | 665 |
| * Weighted average of 15 key items | |||
Random Lengths Panel Market Report
Structural panel trading and price trends were mixed. Mill sales
of OSB tapered from the pace of recent weeks, but prices edged
higher. Solid order files allowed northern producers to hold firm to
quotes or push them slightly higher. Faced with prompt loads to sell
and lethargic demand early in the week, Southern Pine plywood
producers sought trading levels more aggressively Wednesday and
Thursday. In western Fir plywood, discounts on thicker sheathing
panels gave the market pause early in the week, but the discounts
were gone by Friday.
(f.o.b. mill prices)
| (f.o.b. mill prices) | This Week Jul 29 |
Last Week Jul 22 |
Year Ago 2015 |
| Random Lengths Structural Panel Composite Price* | $397 | $396 | $347 |
| Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 3-ply rated sheathing plywood | 372-400 | 378-407 | 375-415 |
| Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood | 370-405 | 378-415 | 375-415 |
| Western 1/2-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood | 421 | 421 | 389 |
| North Central 7/16-inch Oriented Strand Board | 310 | 306 | 192 |
| *Weighted average of 11 key items | |||
