The index for new office construction rose 1.0 percent in the past year; new school buildings rose 1.2 percent; new industrial construction rose 1.3 percent; and new warehouses rose 2.6 percent.
The PPI for gypsum products such as wallboard and plaster increased 4.4 percent in February and 17.8 percent year-over-year. Lumber and plywood prices increased 2.3 percent in February and 15.8 percent from a year ago. Insulation prices increased 2.1 percent in February and 5.9 percent year-over-year, while the PPI for diesel fuel increased 7.2 percent in February and 3.8 percent year-over-year.
Copper and brass mill prices increased 0.7 percent in February while remaining 2.1 percent below year-ago levels. Aluminum mill prices increased 0.6 percent in for the month but decreased 1.5 percent year-over-year. The PPI for steel mill products decreased 0.9 percent in February and 9.7 percent from a year ago. Asphalt paving prices declined 0.1 percent in February but increased 1.1 percent year-over-year. Concrete prices increased 0.3 percent for the month and 2.3 percent from a year ago.