RISI Crow's Market Recap
Crow’s Market Recap: A condensed recap of the market conditions for the major North American softwood lumber and panel products as reported in Crow’s Weekly Market Report.
Lumber: Although producers experienced a mild uptick in sales at midweek, SPF pricing was down for the week. The threat of a Steelworkers union strike at western Canadian mills sent some buyers looking for coverage, helping to firm up prices. Futures at a premium to cash did little to stimulate sales activity. The last vestige of strength in Southern Pine #2 dimension pricing lost its momentum, unable to push higher this week. Mill offerings of 2x4 increased by volume, leaving prices flat after seven weeks of steady gains. Pricing of other dimensions continued declining by double digits. Coastal species pricing remained on a downward trajectory. Some hefty discounts were used to move off excess supplies, generating another week of fairly significant price spreads. Inland lumber producers varied considerably in their assessment of the market. They agreed that prices were softer, but they disagreed considerably by how much softer prices had become. The result was a wide spread in pricing. Stud pricing continued to flounder. Buyers remained cautious, seeing no indication of firmer levels. Traders were disappointed that a potential strike at Canadian mills and gains in futures did not influence pricing more positively. Producers offered the occasional deep discount to move excesses. Ponderosa Pine Selects and Commons showed reasonable stability in all of the Selects, but Commons demonstrated more than a few weaknesses. Most producers tended to “quote and hold” regarding prices, especially of the #3 and #4 Common, but anyone having volume to move was forced to negotiate. Industrial pine lumber supplies were termed “adequate” or “more than adequate,” depending on the item in question. Mldg&Btr, in both 5/4 and 6/4, was described as “balanced,” indicating no significant changes in supply or price. A slow sales pace eroded Western Red Cedar order files for producers selling tight knot products. Other producers reported more “sporadic” activity. Some pressure on tight knot prices developed as mill order files eroded.
A price index of lumber and panels used in actual construction for Oct. 5, 2018.
Western: regional species perimeter foundation
Southern: regional species slab construction
Panels: OSB saw further erosion this week. Producers actively searched for buyers, while two-tiered markets developed for distribution and wholesale. Deep discounts moved a limited number of blocks, but no one wanted to bolster inventory. Quiet trading activity enveloped the Southern Pine plywood market. With limited order files, the lackluster pace forced producers to lower prices more aggressively. Producers and secondaries both reported limited interest from buyers, likely in response to pre-hurricane purchases a few weeks ago. Negotiated deals dominated the Western Fir plywood market, illustrating producers’ urgency to sell and buyers caution. Buyers prodded the market, wondering how deeply mills were willing to drop prices to sell prompt shipping volumes. By week’s end, quick shipping volumes remained available. After weeks of lethargy, Canadian plywood picked up this week as buyers replenished. Mills were able to move files out offering discounts early in the week, then firmed after a busy Wednesday-Thursday. A couple smaller producers went OTM this week, while strike concerns and “ridiculously skinny” inventories were cited as motivating interests. Solid MDF sales continued to keep mill order files extended. Both MDF and particleboard producers noted fewer sales coming from the distribution segment of the market.
Lumber: Although producers experienced a mild uptick in sales at midweek, SPF pricing was down for the week. The threat of a Steelworkers union strike at western Canadian mills sent some buyers looking for coverage, helping to firm up prices. Futures at a premium to cash did little to stimulate sales activity. The last vestige of strength in Southern Pine #2 dimension pricing lost its momentum, unable to push higher this week. Mill offerings of 2x4 increased by volume, leaving prices flat after seven weeks of steady gains. Pricing of other dimensions continued declining by double digits. Coastal species pricing remained on a downward trajectory. Some hefty discounts were used to move off excess supplies, generating another week of fairly significant price spreads. Inland lumber producers varied considerably in their assessment of the market. They agreed that prices were softer, but they disagreed considerably by how much softer prices had become. The result was a wide spread in pricing. Stud pricing continued to flounder. Buyers remained cautious, seeing no indication of firmer levels. Traders were disappointed that a potential strike at Canadian mills and gains in futures did not influence pricing more positively. Producers offered the occasional deep discount to move excesses. Ponderosa Pine Selects and Commons showed reasonable stability in all of the Selects, but Commons demonstrated more than a few weaknesses. Most producers tended to “quote and hold” regarding prices, especially of the #3 and #4 Common, but anyone having volume to move was forced to negotiate. Industrial pine lumber supplies were termed “adequate” or “more than adequate,” depending on the item in question. Mldg&Btr, in both 5/4 and 6/4, was described as “balanced,” indicating no significant changes in supply or price. A slow sales pace eroded Western Red Cedar order files for producers selling tight knot products. Other producers reported more “sporadic” activity. Some pressure on tight knot prices developed as mill order files eroded.
A price index of lumber and panels used in actual construction for Oct. 5, 2018.
Western: regional species perimeter foundation
Southern: regional species slab construction
Panels: OSB saw further erosion this week. Producers actively searched for buyers, while two-tiered markets developed for distribution and wholesale. Deep discounts moved a limited number of blocks, but no one wanted to bolster inventory. Quiet trading activity enveloped the Southern Pine plywood market. With limited order files, the lackluster pace forced producers to lower prices more aggressively. Producers and secondaries both reported limited interest from buyers, likely in response to pre-hurricane purchases a few weeks ago. Negotiated deals dominated the Western Fir plywood market, illustrating producers’ urgency to sell and buyers caution. Buyers prodded the market, wondering how deeply mills were willing to drop prices to sell prompt shipping volumes. By week’s end, quick shipping volumes remained available. After weeks of lethargy, Canadian plywood picked up this week as buyers replenished. Mills were able to move files out offering discounts early in the week, then firmed after a busy Wednesday-Thursday. A couple smaller producers went OTM this week, while strike concerns and “ridiculously skinny” inventories were cited as motivating interests. Solid MDF sales continued to keep mill order files extended. Both MDF and particleboard producers noted fewer sales coming from the distribution segment of the market.