Cement Prices
Cement prices fell 0.7% in October, following a 0.6% increase in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ producer price index. Annual escalation for the index sits at 8.4%, down from 10.9% the previous month. ENR’s 20-city average monthly price for masonry cement declined 1.9% in December, while yearly prices increased 11.2%. All types of ready-mix concrete and all types of concrete block experienced both monthly and yearly increases in December. Prices for portland cement rose 5.3% since November, while yearly prices have increased 23.6%.
PVC Pipe Prices
Prices for PVC pipe products fell 0.6% in October, after rising 0.4% in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ producer price index for plastic construction products, which consists largely of PVC pipe. The annual escalation sits at –4.8%, down from –4.6% the previous month. ENR’s 20- city average price for both types of copper water tubing experienced yearly increases in December. Monthly prices for 6-in. ductile-iron pipe showed no change, while yearly prices increased 25.4%.
Plywood Prices
Plywood prices increased 1.1% in October, following an increase of 1.3% in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ producer price
index. The annual index sits at -8.5%. Prices for pine 2x4s are down 0.6% from November 2022’s level, while monthly prices experienced a 0.4% decrease, according to ENR’s data. ENR’s 20-city average monthly price for plyform fell 0.5% in December, while yearly prices experienced a 9.2% increase.
Aluminum Sheet Prices
The price for aluminum sheet fell 0.5% in October after declining 1.1% in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ producer price index. The annual index sits at -3.5%, up from -5.6% the previous month. ENR’s 20-city average monthly price for reinforcing bars rose 2.8% in December, with yearly prices increasing 12.4%. Both types of stainless-steel plate experienced yearly increases in December, according to ENR’s data. Monthly prices for hot-rolled carbon-steel plate increased 1.4% this month, while yearly prices experienced a 12.3% boost.
* Data provided by ENR.com.