Tag Archive for ‘inflation’

Softwood Lumber, OSB Lead August Price Increases

The prices of softwood lumber, OSB, and ready-mix concrete increased by 2.5%, 2.9%, and 0.5%, respectively, in August according to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In contrast, the price paid for gypsum fell 0.6%, its first monthly decline since May. Softwood lumber prices rose for the second consecutive month the 3.0% decrease in June. … Read More ›

Shelter Prices Contribute to Consumer Inflation

Consumer prices faced by urban consumers nationwide, as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index – Urban Consumer (CPI), rose by 1.6 percent over the past year on a not seasonally adjusted dating back to June 2016. However, over the past month, consumer prices were unchanged (seasonally adjusted basis). The Shelter Price Index was a key contributor… Read More ›

CPI Slipped in May

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), slipped in May due to a decline in energy prices. The CPI declined at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.5% in May, following a 2.0% increase in April. Excluding the volatile food and energy components, “core” CPI increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 0.8%,… Read More ›

April Rebound for CPI

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose in April. The CPI rose at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 2.0% in April, after the 3.4% decline in March. Excluding the volatile food and energy components, “core” CPI increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 0.9%, following the 1.5% decrease in March. The… Read More ›

Energy and Core Prices Down in March

A sharp decline in energy prices pushed headline inflation negative in March, while core prices (excluding food and energy) fell based on a steep decline in the price of wireless telephone services. The consumer price index (CPI) declined at a 3.4% annual rate. Core prices declined at a 1.5% annual rate. Gasoline prices, declining at a 53.5% annual rate, were… Read More ›

Softwood Lumber and OSB Push Building Materials Prices Higher

For the second consecutive month, prices of softwood lumber, gypsum, ready-mix concrete, and OSB all increased, according to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  The increases were led by softwood lumber and OSB. The price of softwood lumber increased 2.3% in March after rising 4.8% in February. Softwood lumber prices have increased 7.2% over the… Read More ›

Softwood Lumber, Gypsum Products Lead Price Increases Among Building Materials

The prices of softwood lumber, gypsum, ready-mix concrete, and OSB all increased in February, according to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  The increases were led by gypsum products, with softwood lumber a close second. After decreasing in four of five months, the price of softwood lumber rose in February. The 4.8% increase was the… Read More ›

Lumber Prices Rise to Start 2017

The price of lumber, from framing to structural panels, has increased in recent weeks with some prices rising more than 30%. Softwood lumber prices have been relatively steady since 2014.  During this period, the largest one-week price increase of framing lumber (+6.8%), as measured by the Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Index, occurred in the middle of the recent price… Read More ›

Have Gypsum Prices Found a New Normal?

The prices of ready-mix concrete, gypsum, and softwood lumber fell 0.2%, 3.5%, and 0.1%, respectively, in January according to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  OSB prices ticked up 1.8%, reversing the 1.3% price decline in December. Long-term trends in gypsum and ready-mix concrete prices are in focus this month, albeit for different reasons. Gypsum… Read More ›

Consumer Price Index Rose in December

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose in December. Both headline inflation and core inflation rose. The CPI rose at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.4% in December, following a 2.4% increase in November. Excluding the volatile food and energy components, “core” CPI increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 2.8%, faster… Read More ›