Commodities Watch


Material: Asphalt

Highlights:

  • Construction commodities pricing rose once again in March. Up 2% overall from February’s close, the index has now risen 4% in the last three months and 6.8% over the last year. However, the lumber index as reported by Random Lengths Reporting has dropped for the past six consecutive weeks and the lumber futures market has limited down twice in the past two weeks suggesting that there is little demand in the market to hold prices at current levels.
  • Pricing for asphalt roofing is down 0.4% from February; however, the index has seen a small jump of 0.6% overall since March 2010.
  • There has been no change in the price of asphalt felts and coatings from February to March.

    Quote:

    “Across the country asphalt breakeven costs are significantly higher. In other words, refinery cost rose with high crude costs.” – McCall Oil and Chemical Corporation, Industry News Flash: Apr.18 - Apr. 20, 2011, Mar. 10, 2011


    Graph: Asphalt Felts and Coatings Pricing

    Asphalt Felts and Coatings PPI Commodity Price Index

    Material: Insulation

    Highlights:

    • Construction commodities pricing rose once again in March. Up 2% overall from February’s close, the index has now risen 4% in the last three months and 6.8% over the last year.
    • Pricing for insulation materials is up 0.6% from February. The index has now risen 4.8% since January 2011 and 6.3% since March 2010.

      Quote:

      “The World Trade Organization (WTO) has warned that the ongoing rise in commodity prices is expected to hold into 2011 on rising demand from Japan, India and China. Japan is planning a massive reconstruction after the devastating earthquake and tsunami.” – Construction Business Review, High commodity prices push up construction costs, Apr. 12, 2011


      Graph: Insulation Materials Products Pricing

      Insulation Materials PPI Commodity Price Index