Construction Materials Prices Inch Down in September
Construction materials prices inched down 0.1% in September but rose 1.6% compared to the same time last year, according to the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Oct. 15 Producer Price Index. Prices for inputs to construction industries have remained unchanged from June to August—the longest such period since the price index for construction inputs began in 1986. Inputs to nonresidential construction fell 0.2% for the month but were 1% higher than in September 2013.
Crude energy materials prices declined 1% in September and are 7.9% lower than a year ago. Natural gas prices climbed 4% in September after decreasing in the three previous months. However, on a year-over-year basis, natural gas prices have expanded for 22 consecutive months.