U.S.: Softwood and panel markets - Week 31, 2017

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Random Lengths
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Trading slowed as buyers’ sense of the market turned more bearish. Numerous factors weighing on the market generated uncertainty, which in turn led to a cautious approach. Topping the list was the coming pause in the countervailing duty, and anticipation that Canadian mills could lower prices with the nearly 20% CVD suspended. The sharp discount in futures to cash was another factor, with EFPs reportedly emerging well in advance of the September contract’s close.

  This Week
Aug 11
Last Week
Aug 4
Year Ago
2016
Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price* $423 $427 $369
KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price 397 409 330
KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes 497 500 431
Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland) 485 485 350
Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L 380 385 426
KD Coast Hem-Fir #2&Btr 2x4 R/L 437 440 345
Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L 680 685 705
* Weighted average of 15 key items

Random Lengths Panel Market Report

Structural panel trading faded, and prices lost ground. Mill sales of OSB slowed to a crawl, and prices leveled off in most producing regions. Dealers and distributors continued to run with lean inventories, and were hesitant to pay current mill quotes for loads that wouldn’t arrive for weeks. A lethargic trading pace led some Southern Pine plywood mills to take steep counters on thick rated sheathing to clear accumulations and extend order files. Western Fir plywood trading slowed as producers and buyers engaged in a standoff.

(f.o.b. mill prices) This Week
Aug 11
Last Week
Aug 4
Year Ago
2016
Random Lengths Structural Panel Composite Price* $455 $456 $394
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 3-ply rated sheathing plywood 382-405 382-405 365-385
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood 387-410 387-410 365-387
Western 1/2-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood 495 500 413
North Central 7/16-inch Oriented Strand Board 410 410 310
*Weighted average of 11 key items

 

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