U.S.: Softwood and Panel Markets - Week 29, 2014

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Used with permission granted by Random Lenghts Publications, Inc.
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Random Lengths Lumber Market Report
Framing lumber trading offered a mix of trends amid an uncertain and unsettled tone. Gains were focused on the upper and stress grades, as well as the wide widths of #2&Btr in Coast species. In contrast, Southern Pine #2 2x8&wdr fell hard as mills aggressively sought to avoid buildups. Weakness was also widely apparent in 2x4 studs, especially 9-foot. In between were Western and Eastern S-P-F, which held near established levels. All told, the Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite gained $3.

 
Week
Jul 25
Week
Jul 18
Year Ago
2013
Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price*
$384
$381
$353
KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price
354
354
323
KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes
445
445
415
Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland)
340
340 318
Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L
428
413
362
KD Coast Hem-Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L
367
365
342
Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L
700
710
615
* Weighted average of 15 key items


Random Lengths Panel Market Report
Structural panel trading was mixed, but urgency faded overall. Quiet sales persisted in OSB, and prices remained in a flat-to-down trend. A number of traders remained perplexed by the disconnect between plywood and OSB prices. Southern Pine plywood sales cooled as the week progressed, but upward price pressure was unabated. Most mills finished the week quoting shipments for the week of August 18 or beyond. Some western Fir plywood buyers scrambled to cover needs throughout the week, and any offerings were promptly scooped up.

(f.o.b. mill prices)
Week
Jul 25
Week
Jul 18
Year Ago
2013
Random Lengths Structural Panel Composite Price*
$405
$392
$395
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 3-ply exterior sheathing plywood 465-505
435-475
390-410
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 4-ply exterior sheathing plywood
477-515
453-490
395-425
Western 1/2-inch 4-ply exterior sheathing plywood 515 485
402
North Central 7/16-inch Oriented Strand Board 210 213 270
*Weighted average of 11 key items
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