Download Market Overview - Sunroc Building Materials

Market Overview*
December 27, 2013
Dry Western Domestic Species
Christmas week and the market has been, as expected, QUIET; Activity through the week is
limited with very few inbound calls. Mill offices are thinly staffed but prices remain firm. Friday
"Random" print kept prices firm and up on some items. Studs continue their upward tick with
some mills pushing mid-January, Trucking issues will remain for the near future.
Green Doug Fir
Trading was excruciatingly slow, but the momentum from last week carried over to reflect price
gains buyers were already experiencing. Studs and narrow dimension remained hot posting
gains of $5-$7 for the week. 2x10 was flat and was somewhat vulnerable to small counters.
Overall the lack of buying matched up well with production cuts during the holiday. We expect
trading to gradually increase over the next few days and start out strong in 2014.
Spruce-Pine-Fir
Trading was quiet, as expected, with Canadian traders out of their offices Thursday. Prices of
Western SPF #2&Btr were flat to up mildly. Gains in 2x6 stood out, as mills pushed quotes up
into the $350s. 2x4 was firm at mills’ established quotes, although some wholesalers had a fair
volume of unsold offerings. A few Eastern SPF producers reported pockets of surprisingly
strong sales for prompt shipments and first-quarter orders. Prices of #1&2 were flat or up
modestly on momentum from last week.
Western Plywood
Extended order files and rising log costs are leading producers to push for higher prices. Buyers
are starting to replenish inventory but remain wary of building inventory. Rising log and veneer
costs will help to keep upward pressure on a mill's bottom line as we move into 2014. If you are
looking for material, be sure to talk with your LMC Trader.
Oriented Strand Board
Phones were quiet through most of the week, especially from Wednesday on with Christmas
and Boxing Day holidays. A number of traders were out of their offices for most, if not all, of the
week. However, some buyers stepped in to cover pressing needs. Demand was muted; the few
sales that were reported were usually booked by Monday. Activity in the Pacific Northwest
tapered, but prices bumped higher based on carryover from the previous week.
*Source: LMC Market Watch