Lord Wood presents its timber brief for Monday, 12 October 2026.
The key news: North American lumber futures closed Friday 9 October at about $532.53 per thousand board feet (mbf), up 2.7% on the day. Earlier in the week they fell to about $523.50, the lowest since September 2025. Prices are still down about 8% over one month and about 13% over one year. US mortgage rates near 7.3% are slowing home demand, even though single-family starts rose 7.6% in August.
What it means for our customers: Prices are near the bottom of their one-year range, but the market is not yet showing a clear turn. One strong day is not a trend.
Example: A 25 mbf load priced at Friday’s futures level is about $13,313. At the 2 October Madison’s index level of $505, the same volume is about $12,625. (Load size is illustrative.)
Advice for buyers: Use this window to fix prices for part of your winter needs, perhaps one-third to one-half. Keep the rest flexible. Ask suppliers for price validity of at least two weeks.
The honest caution: Tariff news and US rate decisions can move lumber prices sharply. Futures prices are a guide, not a delivered price.
Lord Wood — timber you can build on.
