Quote from Port1385:
I look at wallboard. Yep, wallboard. Wallboard is everywhere and the more wallboard purchased the better the economy. Wallboard is used in every house and business in America.
The US Gypsum company hasnt sold wallboard this cheap since the early 90s and its on its way this year to selling at a record low. Lows not seen since the early 90s. There has been a 50% drop in wallboard prices.
http://files.shareholder.com/downlo...4646-6b89-4fc6-9fa6-b116d44f6d67/PriceVol.pdf
Excellent post, excellent point.
We call it 'drywall' in the midwest, as there are 3 major sources of gypsum board; USG, Georgia Pacific and Weyerhaeuser.
Lumber is WAY down, too.
Not just rough (stud) lumber, but wolmanized, OSB, plywood, etc.
Shingles, vinyl siding and such are still high because of crude oil prices, but should fall steeply during the next 3-6 months.
The only materials that are staying and likely to stay elevated are concrete/cement and copper. Many builders have gone with pex tubing (cross-linked polyethylene) as a substitute for copper in their plumbing applications, however.
New home building permits are the lowest since 1962. I can't find the link, but if you just do a basic search, you can confirm.
It's not just residential, either. Retail, office and other commercial has slowed dramatically.