Sales of framing lumber jumped Thursday after
the Commerce Department released its U.S.
housing starts report for October. The sharp
gain was one of several catalysts sparking
trader confidence and allaying fears of downside
risk. News coverage on the U.S.-Canada trade
dispute and expectations that the U.S. would
soon file a trade case against Canada generated
some buzz. Gains in January futures after
Tuesday’s close of the November contract also
helped to spur activity.
.
| This Week Nov 18 |
Last Week Nov 11 |
Year Ago 2015 |
|
| Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price* | $346 | $344 | $326 |
| KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price | 308 | 305 | 260 |
| KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes | 392 | 392 | 367 |
| Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland) | 323 | 318 | 307 |
| Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L | 428 | 425 | 415 |
| KD Coast Hem-Fir #2&Btr 2x4 R/L | 330 | 325 | 323 |
| Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L | 625 | 635 | 660 |
| * Weighted average of 15 key items | |||
Random Lengths Panel Market Report
Structural panel markets kicked into a higher gear. OSB trading
jolted to life, and some mills reported their strongest sales in
months. Activity had already gained momentum when Thursday’s release
of the October housing report fueled even stronger sales. Southern
Pine plywood mills pushed order files out to the weeks of November
28 and December 5 and firmed prices. Western Fir plywood sales
picked up Wednesday afternoon, with robust sales the rest of the
week. Some mills reported their best sales in months.
(f.o.b. mill prices)
| (f.o.b. mill prices) | This Week Nov 18 |
Last Week Nov 11 |
Year Ago 2015 |
| Random Lengths Structural Panel Composite Price* | $364 | $364 | $366 |
| Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 3-ply rated sheathing plywood | 348-380 | 348-378 | 360-395 |
| Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood | 350-385 | 350-380 | 360-395 |
| Western 1/2-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood | 340 | 337 | 349 |
| North Central 7/16-inch Oriented Strand Board | 287 | 287 | 257 |
| *Weighted average of 11 key items | |||
