Year-on-Year

The annual change in the Construction Materials Wholesale Price Index (CMWPI) at the National Capital Region (NCR) continued to drop as it recorded a negative rate of 0.4 percent in May. Last month, it was posted at -0.8 percent while in May 2014, it has a positive growth of 2.2 percent. A downward annual adjustment was still noticed in fuels and lubricants index at -14.9 percent. In addition, annual increments were slower in the following indices: lumber, 3.6 percent; reinforcing steel, 0.8 percent; structural steel, 1.0 percent; tileworks, 0.6 percent; glass and glass products, 1.5 percent; doors, jambs and steel casement and painting works, 1.4 percent; and PVC pipes, 2.2 percent. On the other hand, higher annual rates were observed in cement index at 0.7 percent; plywood index, 5.5 percent; electrical works index, 4.2 percent; and plumbing fixtures and accessories index, 6.6 percent. The rest of the commodity groups moved at the April year-on-year growth rate. The machinery and equipment rental index remained unchanged.

Month-on-Month

From a month ago level, wholesale prices of selected construction materials went up 0.5 percent in May. This was mainly attributed to the 4.0 percent increase in fuels and lubricants index. From a zero growth, the indices of concrete products and doors, jambs and steel casement inched up 0.1 percent. Slower monthly gains were, however, seen in the indices of sand and gravel, hardware, plywood and electrical works. The indices of cement and plumbing fixtures and accessories retained their previous month’s rates while the other commodity groups had a zero growth.

Higher prices of gasoline, diesel and fuel oil were registered during the month. Moreover, upward price adjustments were noted in sand and gravel, concrete products, cement, plywood, door jambs, electrical wires, paints, selected hardware items such as common wire nails, plumbing fixtures and accessories and PVC pipes.