The Producer Price Index (PPI) for building materials declined marginally in September by 0.3%, while the PPI for goods to inputs to residential construction posted a 2.3% decline in prices since June, the largest three-month drop since April 2020. The index for service inputs to residential construction declined for the sixth consecutive month in September but remains 3.3% higher on a year-over-year basis, according to the NAHB.
The PPI for softwood lumber (seasonally adjusted) declined 2.9% in September following a 5.2% drop in August. Softwood lumber prices are 14.5% higher than they were a year ago but have fallen 39.6% since March. The index remains 41.9% above pre-pandemic levels.
The PPI for gypsum building materials edged 0.2% lower in September—just the second monthly decrease in two years. Prices have increased 20.2% over the past year and are up 46.0% since January 2020.
The price of truck transportation of freight decreased 0.4% in September following a 1.9% decline in August. Prices have fallen 3.1% over the past four months, driven lower by a 4.5% decline in the price of long-distance motor carrying. Over the same period, the PPI for local motor carrying increased 1.4%.
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