Up and down
While the cost of some materials has risen, others have decreased over the past three months. Here is breakdown of prices:
» Following an 8.2 percent drop in May, softwood lumber prices fell 5.6 percent in June and are down 11.2 percent for the quarter. However, they remain 8 percent higher compared to the same time last year.
» Iron and steel prices decreased 0.9 percent for the month, and are down 3.4 percent for the quarter and 7.2 percent on a year-over-year basis. Steel mill prices follow a similar trend: down 0.7 percent for the month, down 1.6 percent for the quarter, and 8.1 percent lower than June 2012.
» Prices for concrete products, fabricated structural metal products, and plumbing fixtures and fittings were all flat for the month. Year over year, concrete product prices are up 3 percent, fabricated structural metal product prices are down 0.8 percent, and plumbing fixtures and fitting prices are up 1 percent.
» Crude energy materials prices kicked off the summer with a 0.3 percent increase in June. They increased 9.2 percent for the quarter and are up 21.5 percent from one year ago.
» Nonferrous wire and cable price rose 0.4 percent for the month, but were down 3.9 percent overall for the quarter and are down 2.1 percent during the last 12 months.
» Prices for prepared asphalt, tar roofing and siding rose 1.7 percent in June, increased 5.5 percent in the second quarter, and are 3 percent higher than the same time last year.
» Overall, the nation’s wholesale goods prices increased 0.8 percent in June, rose 0.6 percent during the second quarter, and are 2.5 percent higher than one year ago.