Cement Prices
Cement prices showed no change in November, following a 0.5% decrease in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ producer price index. Annual escalation for the index sits at 8.3%, down from 8.7% the previous month. ENR’s 20-city average monthly price for masonry cement declined 0.7% in January, while yearly prices increased 4.1%. All types of ready-mix concrete and all types of concrete block experienced both monthly and yearly increases in January. Prices for portland cement rose 2% since December, while yearly prices have increased 23.9%.
PVC Pipe Prices
Prices for PVC pipe products rose 0.1% in November, after falling 0.4% in October, 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 –3.7%, up from –4.8% the previous month. ENR’s 20-city average price for both types of copper water tubing experienced yearly increases in January. Monthly prices for 6-in. ductile-iron pipe fell 0.5%, while yearly prices increased 24.3%.
Plywood Prices
Plywood prices decreased 0.3% in November, following an increase of 1.7% in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ producer price index. The annual index sits at -4.5%. Prices for pine 2x4s are down 16.2% from January 2023’s level, while monthly prices experienced a 0.2% decrease, according to ENR’s data. ENR’s 20-city average monthly price for plyform rose 3.9% in January, while yearly prices experienced a 5.1% increase.
Aluminum Sheet Prices
The price for aluminum sheet stayed flat in November, after falling 0.5% in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ producer price index. The annual index sits at -2.2%, up from -3.5% the previous month. ENR’s 20-city average monthly price for reinforcing bars rose 0.3% in January, with yearly prices increasing 15.2%. Both types of stainless-steel plate experienced yearly increases in January, according to ENR’s data. Monthly prices for hot-rolled carbon-steel plate increased 2% this month, while yearly prices experienced a 14.2% boost.
* Data provided by ENR.com.