Lumber buyers' "priced time of shipment" orders are increasing as hardwood demand continues to spike to record levels.

Favorable trends in jobs markets, low core inflation and expectations of seasonal rebounds in home building and lumber exports pushed the Weekly Hardwood Review Leading Hardwood Demand Indicator (LHDI) for February up to 118.8.

Hardwood lumber demand remains strong but growth is expected to slow in second half due to decline in remodeling projections and residential construction.