Spurts of sales failed to stem weakening price trends in framing lumber markets. Distributors limited purchases and office wholesalers focused on clearing inventories in advance of the holiday weekend. However, western board and Southern Pine treated sales got a modest boost from home centers replenishing in anticipation of do-it-yourself business over the weekend. Some mills aggressively sought trading levels to clear month-end buildups, while others were content to sacrifice volume for mixed loads and single cars and trucks at or near their asking levels.








Panel market

Structural panel sales were a grind, and prices lost ground. Demand for OSB lacked urgency, and prices in most regions finished lower. Inventories at the retail level were thin, but secondaries reported difficulty selling their contract loads. Dull markets prompted some Southern Pine plywood mills to accept double-digit discounts on key sheathing items to move volumes. In western Fir plywood, lower prices on sheathing and 23/32-inch underlayment emerged Wednesday as some producers sought to extend order files.