According to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the prices of softwood lumber, gypsum, ready-mix concrete, and OSB increased for the third consecutive month. Eye on Housing staffer David Logan reports on the price increases led by gypsum, which saw a 5.1% April increase.
Although softwood lumber did not see the highest price change, its 3% increase pushes prices to the highest levels since 2004. Softwood lumber prices have increased 10.4% during the first four months of this year:
Exchange rates will gain attention should the dollar substantially falter. A weaker dollar would exacerbate the price effect of tariffs by making it Canadian lumber more expensive for U.S. buyers. While the dollar is not quite as strong as it was at the beginning of the last trade dispute in 2001, it is historically strong nevertheless.
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