Cement Prices
Cement prices held steady in March, following a 0.7% decrease in February, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ producer price index. Annual escalation for the index sits at 5%, down from 5.2% the previous month. ENR’s 20-city average monthly price for masonry cement fell 0.3% in May, while yearly prices decreased 6.3%. All types of ready-mix concrete and all types of concrete block experienced yearly increases in May, according to ENR’s data. Prices for portland cement are up 0.2% since April, while yearly prices experienced a 23% increase.
PVC Pipe Prices
Prices for PVC pipe products showed no change in March, after falling 0.1% in February, 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% for the second consecutive month. ENR’s 20-city average price for both types of copper water tubing experienced monthly and yearly increases in May. Monthly prices for 6-in. ductile-iron pipe rose 1.2%, while yearly prices increased 24.5%.
Plywood Prices
Plywood prices increased 0.6% in March, following a decrease of 1.5% in February, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ producer price index. The annual index sits at -0.1%. Prices for pine 2x4s are down 10.6% from May 2023’s level, while monthly prices experienced a rise of 0.2%, according to ENR’s data. ENR’s 20-city average monthly price for plyform fell 0.2% in May, while yearly prices experienced an 11.4% increase.
Aluminum Sheet Prices
The price for aluminum sheet has not been updated in March, after rising 0.4% in February, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ producer price index. The annual index sits at -5.2% as of February. ENR’s 20-city average monthly price for reinforcing bars rose 0.6% in May, with yearly prices increasing 14.2%. Both types of stainless-steel plate prices experienced monthly and yearly increases in May, according to ENR’s data. Prices for all types of stainless-steel sheet experienced monthly and yearly decreases in May.
* Data provided by ENR.com.