The largest monthly gain in petroleum prices in over three years caused construction materials prices to expand 0.4 percent in February, ending a six-month streak when prices failed to rise, according to the March 13 producer price index release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, construction input prices fell 3.9%. Nonresidential construction input prices also rose 0.4% on a monthly basis and were down 4.9% on a yearly basis.
"While conventional wisdom suggests that oil and natural gas prices will eventually rise, the adjustment period could be a lengthy one and although crude petroleum prices were up 12.3% on a monthly basis, this is likely a function of an abnormally cold February," said Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu. "This rise is the first monthly gain since April 2014 and the eighth consecutive month in which petroleum prices were down on a year-over-year basis.
"For now, inventories of fuel remain elevated and most believe that the U.S. dollar's upward movement is not at an end," said Basu. "This, in addition to the quantitative easing that has begun in Europe and the potential for increasing interest rates in America, means that there is likely to be greater demand for U.S. fixed income assets, which will serve to further strengthen the U.S. dollar and put downward pressure on certain key construction input prices. This dynamic was widely apparent in February, during which prices for seven of the 11 key construction inputs failed to rise and no input other than crude petroleum increased in excess of one percent."
The following materials prices increased in February:
- Nonferrous wire and cable prices grew 0.8% on a monthly basis but fell 4.4% on a yearly basis
- Crude petroleum prices gained 12.3% in February but are down 53.4% from the same time last year.
- Crude energy materials prices expanded 0.9% in February but are 45% lower year-over-year.
- Concrete products prices expanded 0.2% in February and are up 4.3% on a yearly basis.
Seven of the 11 key construction inputs did not expand for the month:
- Prices for plumbing fixtures fell 0.1% in February but are up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis.
- Fabricated structural metal product prices remained flat for the month and have expanded 1.0% on a year-over-year basis.
- Prices for prepared asphalt, tar roofing, and siding fell 1.4% for the month but are up 1.7% on a year-ago basis.
- Iron and steel prices fell 5.4% in February and are down 10.6% from the same time last year.
- Steel mill products prices fell 1.8% for the month and are 3.6% lower than one year ago.
- Softwood lumber prices fell 3.7% in February and are 4.4% lower than one year ago.
- Natural gas prices fell 11.2% in February and are down 51.8% from one year ago.
Related Stories
| Jan 7, 2011
Total construction to rise 5.1% in 2011
Total U.S. construction spending will increase 5.1% in 2011. The gain from the end of 2010 to the end of 2011 will be 10%. The biggest annual gain in 2011 will be 10% for new residential construction, far above the 2-3% gains in all other construction sectors.
| Jan 7, 2011
Mixed-Use on Steroids
Mixed-use development has been one of the few bright spots in real estate in the last few years. Successful mixed-use projects are almost always located in dense urban or suburban areas, usually close to public transportation. It’s a sign of the times that the residential component tends to be rental rather than for-sale.
| Jan 4, 2011
Product of the Week: Zinc cladding helps border crossing blend in with surroundings
Zinc panels provide natural-looking, durable cladding for an administrative building and toll canopies at the newly expanded Queenstown Plaza U.S.-Canada border crossing at the Niagara Gorge. Toronto’s Moriyama & Teshima Architects chose the zinc alloy panels for their ability to blend with the structures’ scenic surroundings, as well as for their low maintenance and sustainable qualities. The structures incorporate 14,000 sf of Rheinzink’s branded Angled Standing Seam and Reveal Panels in graphite gray.
| Jan 4, 2011
6 green building trends to watch in 2011
According to a report by New York-based JWT Intelligence, there are six key green building trends to watch in 2011, including: 3D printing, biomimicry, and more transparent and accurate green claims.
| Jan 4, 2011
LEED 2012: 10 changes you should know about
The USGBC is beginning its review and planning for the next version of LEED—LEED 2012. The draft version of LEED 2012 is currently in the first of at least two public comment periods, and it’s important to take a look at proposed changes to see the direction USGBC is taking, the plans they have for LEED, and—most importantly—how they affect you.
| Jan 4, 2011
California buildings: now even more efficient
New buildings in California must now be more sustainable under the state’s Green Building Standards Code, which took effect with the new year. CALGreen, the first statewide green building code in the country, requires new buildings to be more energy efficient, use less water, and emit fewer pollutants, among many other requirements. And they have the potential to affect LEED ratings.
| Jan 4, 2011
New Years resolutions for architects, urban planners, and real estate developers
Roger K. Lewis, an architect and a professor emeritus of architecture at the University of Maryland, writes in the Washington Post about New Years resolutions he proposes for anyone involved in influencing buildings and cities. Among his proposals: recycle and reuse aging or obsolete buildings instead of demolishing them; amend or eliminate out-of-date, obstructive, and overly complex zoning ordinances; and make all city and suburban streets safe for cyclists and pedestrians.
| Jan 4, 2011
An official bargain, White House loses $79 million in property value
One of the most famous office buildings in the world—and the official the residence of the President of the United States—is now worth only $251.6 million. At the top of the housing boom, the 132-room complex was valued at $331.5 million (still sounds like a bargain), according to Zillow, the online real estate marketplace. That reflects a decline in property value of about 24%.
| Jan 4, 2011
Grubb & Ellis predicts commercial real estate recovery
Grubb & Ellis Company, a leading real estate services and investment firm, released its 2011 Real Estate Forecast, which foresees the start of a slow recovery in the leasing market for all property types in the coming year.