Trading in framing lumber turned more upbeat, as concerns about this week’s expiration of the Softwood Lumber Agreement dissipated. Traders largely tossed aside any angst about heavier-than-normal shipments after the SLA’s October 12 expiration, as Canadian mills built order files into the second half of October. Demand was driven by secondaries replenishing thinning inventories. With most species showing at least an uptick in key prices, the Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price rose $6.
Week Oct 9
|
Week Oct 2
|
Year Ago
2014 |
|
Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price* |
$305
|
$299
|
$384
|
KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price |
250
|
240
|
352 |
KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes |
346
|
343
|
452
|
Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland) |
295
|
295
|
325 |
Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L |
350
|
329
|
436
|
KD Coast Hem-Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L |
300
|
303
|
365
|
Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L |
660
|
660
|
675
|
* Weighted average of 15 key items |
Random Lengths Panel Market Report
Structural panel trading gained momentum. The steady-to-strong pace that had typified OSB markets in recent weeks turned more frenzied on Wednesday. Buyers covered their needs with more urgency. Southern Pine plywood trading came to life Thursday on news of a South Carolina mill’s market-related curtailment. The announcement brought in wholesalers to cover shorts and purchase modest long positions. Activity in western Fir plywood markets was flat or up from last week.
(f.o.b. mill prices) | Week Oct 9 | Week Oct 2 |
Year Ago
2014 |
Random Lengths Structural Panel Composite Price* |
$353
|
$351
|
$409
|
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 3-ply exterior sheathing plywood | 360-395 | 360-395 |
450-515
|
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 4-ply exterior sheathing plywood |
360-390
|
360-390
|
478-518
|
Western 1/2-inch 4-ply exterior sheathing plywood | 365 | 370 |
480
|
North Central 7/16-inch Oriented Strand Board | 232 | 225 | 222 |
*Weighted average of 11 key items |