Story perspectives

PPI Drops for Softwood Lumber; Core Prices Surge

9/11/2025

Summary

Story summary

In August, the Producer Price Index (PPI) for softwood lumber fell by 0.4%, while hardwood lumber increased by 0.5%.
The overall PPI for final demand decreased by 0.1%, the first drop since April 2025.
Core PPI, excluding food and energy, rose by 0.3%, with a 2.8% annual increase, the highest since March 2025.
Prices for millwork and plywood increased by 0.5% and 0.3%, respectively.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights the PPI's importance in tracking price changes from the seller's perspective.

History

Historical Context

The Dodd-Frank Act was enacted in 2010 to regulate financial markets in response to the 2008 financial crisis, which exposed significant vulnerabilities in the banking system. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 0.4% decline in softwood lumber prices, reflecting ongoing market volatility that has persisted since the crisis, highlighting the challenges policymakers face in managing inflation and economic recovery.

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Story summary

In August, the Producer Price Index (PPI) for softwood lumber fell by 0.4%, while hardwood lumber increased by 0.5%.
The overall PPI for final demand decreased by 0.1%, the first drop since April 2025.
Core PPI, excluding food and energy, rose by 0.3%, with a 2.8% annual increase, the highest since March 2025.
Prices for millwork and plywood increased by 0.5% and 0.3%, respectively.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights the PPI's importance in tracking price changes from the seller's perspective.

1 / 2