Glass manufacturing prices fell 0.6% in April, halting months of gains.

The U.S. Labor Department reported that glass and glass products manufacturing prices fell in April, ending a string of increases. PPI for the glass and glass products manufacturing industry fell 0.6% in April, following a revised 0.1% in March, according to the sector's producer price index (PPI). Prices in this segment increased 0.1% year over year. PPI measures the price change before a product reaches consumers.

Overall PPI rose 0.5% in April, higher than the 0.3% expected and accelerating from the 0.1% decline in March (revised from 0.2%). Compared with the same period last year, producer prices rose 2.2% in April, up from 1.8% in March, the largest increase in a year.

^{Figure 1 The Producer Price Index for Glass-Related Products 1}

Flat Glass – The PPI percentage for flat glass remained stagnant in April after a revised 0.7% decline in March. After rising 0.6% in November-December 2023, the sector has remained relatively stable despite fluctuations in overall PPI. Prices remain 0.5% lower than in April 2023.

Flat Glass Manufacturing — Flat glass manufacturing prices were flat in April, ending several months of gains and losses. PPI fell by 0.5% in March, after rising by 0.5% in February. Flat glass manufacturing prices are down 2.2% annually compared to April 2023. Flat glass manufacturing includes flat glass (float, sheet, and flat plate processes) manufactured by flat glass producers.

Structural Metal Products - The Producer Price Index (PPI) for metal products rose 0.4% in April after a revised 0.0% in March. The last percentage decline was 0.3% in February 2024. Prices for the index are still up 1.1% compared to the same period last year. Prefabricated structural metal products include metal liners, culverts, sleeves, pole joists, and panels.

Decorative and Architectural Metal Products – Decorative and architectural metal products surged in April, up 5.9%. This follows a revised 0.8% gain in March. The new year has not been good for the industry, which has borne the brunt of continued price increases. The sector's PPI was 8.4% higher year-on-year in April 2023. Decorative architectural metals are designed for aesthetic purposes when placed on high-end buildings.

Metal Windows – Metal window PPI was flat in April, continuing a trend of stagnant prices. Metal window prices fell 0.5% year-on-year. Metal windows include window frames made of aluminum or steel.

Metal Doors and Frames — Metal door frame prices did not increase in April, hovering around 0% for the fourth of the past five months. Despite the flat reading, prices for metal doors and frames increased 1% year over year.

Builder's Hardware — Prices for builder's hardware, including window hardware, were flat for the second consecutive month. The last price increase in the sector was in February 2024, when it rose 1.5%. Prices for builders' hardware products fell 0.9% year over year compared to April 2023. 

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