A combination of the
distress in the financial system and traders' own bleak outlook for the coming months left
trading in framing lumber at an extremely low level. Prices fell unevenly as drops in
those species that took hefty hits in previous weeks eased, while cuts in other species
accelerated. Uncertainty about whether the House would pass a new version of the financial
rescue package left financial markets jittery. Worries about credit and lack of confidence
on Wall Street were widely reflected in the lumber market as well.
กก
|
Week
Oct 10
|
Week
Oct 3
|
Year Ago
2007 |
Random
Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price* |
$240 |
$252 |
$266 |
KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price |
199
|
215 |
225 |
KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes |
290
|
305 |
308 |
Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland) |
153
|
160 |
195
|
Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L |
320
|
331 |
287 |
KD Coast Hem-Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L |
185
|
200 |
230 |
Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L |
390
|
400 |
660 |
* Weighted average of 15 key items |
Panel market
In structural panel markets, prices of OSB firmed in most regions, bucking trends
in plywood, lumber, and the broader economy. OSB's better tone in the face of weakness
elsewhere was a head-scratcher for some traders. Key Southern Pine plywood sheathing items
finished $10-20 lower with the bulk of the discounts seen early in the week. Order files
were typically a day or two at best on the westside and central zone, but a bit longer on
the eastside. Western Fir plywood prices neared their lows for the year. Speculation about
shutdowns intensified, driving inquiries from some eastern secondaries.
กก
(f.o.b. mill prices) |
Week
Oct 10
|
Week
Oct 3
|
Year Ago
2007 |
Random
Lengths Structural Panel Composite Price* |
$292 |
$294 |
$294 |
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 3-ply exterior sheathing plywood |
300-310
|
310-325 |
326-347 |
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 4-ply exterior sheathing plywood |
300-315
|
315-330 |
329-347 |
Western 1/2-inch 4-ply exterior sheathing plywood |
288
|
293 |
321 |
North Central 7/16-inch Oriented Strand Board |
178
|
170 |
165 |
*Weighted average of 11 key items |
กก |