Cement Prices
Cement prices increased 4.2% in January, following a 0.1% increase in December, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ producer price index. Annual escalation for the index sits at 8.1%, down from 8.8% the previous month. ENR’s 20-city average monthly price for masonry cement rose 0.5% in March, while yearly prices decreased 2.2%. All types of ready-mix concrete and all types of concrete block experienced both monthly and yearly increases in March, according to ENR’s data. Prices for portland cement rose 0.4% since February, while yearly prices have increased 25.3 %.
PVC Pipe Prices
Prices for PVC pipe products rose 0.3% in January, after falling 0.4% in December, 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 –2.9%, up from –3.5% the previous month. ENR’s 20-city average price for both types of copper water tubing experienced monthly and yearly increases in March. Monthly prices for 6-in. ductile-iron pipe rose 0.2%, while yearly prices increased 25.5%.
Plywood Prices
Plywood prices decreased 0.1% in January, following a decrease of 0.1% in December, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ producer price index. The annual index sits at -2.6%. Prices for pine 2x4s are down 13.2% from March 2023’s level, while monthly prices showed a decline of 2.2%, according to ENR’s data. ENR’s 20-city average monthly price for plyform declined 1.7% in March, while yearly prices experienced a 2.8% increase.
Aluminum Sheet Prices
The price for aluminum sheet decreased 1.2% in January, after declining 0.3% in December, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ producer price index. The annual index
sits at -5.4%, down from -3.9% the previous month. ENR’s 20-city average monthly price for reinforcing bars rose 2.2% in March, with yearly prices increasing 21.6%. Both types of stainless-steel plate prices experienced yearly increases in March, according to ENR’s data. Prices for all types of stainless-steel sheet experienced monthlyincreases in March.
* Data provided by ENR.com.