Market Barometer

Market Direction Market conditions continue to be flat, but outside of SPF, most items are firm to higher as producers have closed off counter acceptance and removed most discount incentives. The tighter environment in some regions is related to log and lumber inventory shortages as inclement weather-related events interfere with harvesting and log access. Stormy

Cash trading appeared to be waking up slightly from hibernation but not quite out of bed yet as most participants were lacking any sense of urgency. The weather has played a major factor, especially in California where residents were cleaning up following their 12 consecutive atmospheric rivers of moisture to hit the state. WSPF #2&btr

Market Direction Market conditions remain extremely flat to slightly weaker, a near mirror of the same conditions that have persisted over the last few weeks. Supply easily remains ahead of demand, and although there is a steady takeaway to the field, many areas are not seeing any of the typical spring inventory building numbers yet. 

Cash trading had few bright spots this week as the market still felt like it was sleeping in a little bit more from a long winter’s nap. There was not much countering this week as those participating needed to buy and were mostly focused on a small grocery list of their most needed items.  WSPF

Market Direction Overall, supply continues to outpace demand at this late stage of winter. While March will bring forward spring and more demand, buyers with frayed nerves from the massive swings in pricing over the past 2-3 years are also ham-strung by more stringent accounting mandates. This leaves most of the non-distributor, big-volume buyers compelled

Cash market trading had few notable improvements as most contended with dull lackadaisical inquiry levels. Active buyers countered nearly everything. Wintery weather was not helping matters as rail issues grew.  WSPF #2&btr 2x4s are quoted in a range of $400 – $410 mill per Mbf. Quotes at this time last year were one-week back of

Market Direction Declining single-family (SF) housing construction demand with the 30-year rate holding above 6% should by all accounts be lower in 2023. However, we should see SF growth again once supply and demand become more balanced as both the single/multi-family market remains far underbuilt. The main headwind going forward is affordability coupled with overall