Market Watch For June 2008: Material Demand

More commodities registered higher prices for the first time in several months in June, according to the 2008 ISM Manufacturing Report on Business (ROB) released on July 1. Some notables included plastics, electricity and titanium dioxide. Both natural gas and sulfuric acid continue upward streaks that have remained intact for all of 2008, while steel and aluminum are each following close behind.

Commodities Up In Price

ABS
Acrylics (2)
Aluminum (5)
Aluminum Extrusions (4)
Caustic Soda (4)
Chemicals (2)
Corn (3)
Corrugated Containers (2)
Diesel Fuel (4)
Electricity
Freight (2)
Fuel Oil (2)
Fuel Surcharge (4)
Gasoline (3)
Natural Gas (8)
Petroleum-based Products (2)
Plastics
Polypropylene Resins
Resins (3)
Soybean Oil (3)
Stainless Steel (2)
Steel (6)
Steel -- Alloys, Cold Finished, Hot Rolled, Specialty
Sulfuric Acid (8)
Titanium Dioxide

Commodities Down In Price

Copper

Commodities In Short Supply

Caustic Soda (4)
Steel (3)

Note: The number of consecutive months the commodity is listed is indicated after each item.

Source: June 2008 Manufacturing ISM Report on Business

See Also

• Market Watch For May 2008: Material Demand
• The Do-It-Yourself Guide
• Eastern Promises
• Breathing Down on the Dragon
• The Low-Cost Learning Curve