The Layman's Guide to Lumber & Panel Trading

The Bottom Line...Up Front: is a one line synopsis for Southern Yellow Pine lumber, Canadian SPF lumber, Western U.S. lumber, Plywood and Oriented Strand Board. In a matter of seconds you get a quick over view of all four markets and what is likely to happen in the days ahead. Along with the "Bullish Consensus meter" it sets the tone of the forecast.

Bullish Consensus vs. Inventory Status: These graphs are a quick visual reference for you to determine the market sentiment of Wood Preservers (Treaters), Retailers, Wholesalers, and Producers. Just watch the lines and bars from week to week and you can easily spot a trend of rising or falling bullishness or bearishness, plus you can see whether inventories are rising or falling. Watch the trends!

Market Evaluation is a measurement of all the vital signs of the market. The Market Evaluation Summary is a statistical calculation of all the numbers. 1 is very bearish, 10 is very bullish and 5 is neutral. Very rarely will you see a 1 or a 10. Trading Cycle Phases are a 1-7 scale and a reference to the cycle is to the right of the Market Evaluations. This helps you determine where we are and what action will likely happen next.