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Why you should subscribe to My Print | Sample Reports | About Random Lengths
Random Lengths My Print Samples
Random Lengths My Print lets you create your own on-demand graphs and custom price reports, from every price reported by Random Lengths since 1995, and allows you to update reports automatically as soon as new prices are released.
The sample reports below are provided in a PDF format, for you to view and/or download in Adobe Reader.
ALL SAMPLES | By Report Type: 5-Year Overlay | Custom | Up/Down | Yearbook | Zero-Line Comparison | Zero-Line Overlay | By Product/Species Groups
My Print sample reports are available in PDF file format to view in Acrobat Reader. Click on the links titled "View PDF" under each report type headline below
This sample includes 4 different product/region groups (Canadian SPF, Panels, Southern Pine, and Western Species) with all six Random Lengths My Print report types represented in each group: 5-Year Overlay, Custom, Up/Down, Yearbook, Zero-Line Comparison, and Zero-line Overlay.
Samples by My Print Report Type
(view PDF of Sample 5-Year Overlay Report)
If you want to identify seasonal trends, select the 5-Year Overlay report type to see when one item's price tends to be strongest or weakest
What does this report do? An annual overlay of data for a single item, with the prices displayed over each of five years selected in the date range. Each year is a separate trend line. Number of items: One. Data Frequency: Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly
How can you use this report? This graph allows you to identify annual seasonal trends. You will see when a price tends to be strongest and when it is weakest. For example, you create a graph for Ponderosa Pine #2&Btr 1x12, and it shows how unusually flat prices of this item have been in 2007 compared to the previous four years. You can see that this year's long duration of unchanged prices is unusual, and the usual seasonal trends may not be something you should count on this year, given this item's unusual price behavior.
Another example: You create a graph showing the Southern Pine Composite over most recent five years. The trend lines point out how prices tend to rise at the end of the year and the first couple of months as treaters stock up to prepare for the spring. The graph also shows a "summer swoon" is often seen in the South as the heat keeps do-it-yourselfers inside and away from projects. Analyzing the seasonal trends can help you and your business be prepared.
(view PDF of Sample Custom Report)
If you are looking for a straightforward price history, the Custom report type lets you select up to five items for weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual intervals
What does this report do? A basic price history for up to five items using weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual intervals. A custom report is the most straightforward report type. You select from one to five items. The graph shows the trend lines for pricing for the date range selected.
You can add the additional option 3-week or 4-week moving averages for weekly data intervals, and 3-month moving averages for monthly intervals, or zero-line for all data intervals under comparison type, to provide a different perspective on the price history.
How can you use this report? By viewing certain items next to each other, a graph may show price fluctuations between producing regions, identifying opportunities to move wood competitively from one region to another. Moving averages are often used to smooth out short-term fluctuations, highlighting longer-term trends or cycles.
Another example: You create a report comparing 7/16-inch OSB Southwest and Southeast from January 2005 to November 2007, and clearly see how the Southeast has become the lowest-cost region in North America. Buyers not only in the Southwest but the Midwest and East Coast are often buying their OSB from the Southeast, because even with freight it will deliver at a discount to other regions. Your graph in My Print could allow you to identify this trend earlier than your competitors might.
(view PDF of Sample Up/Down Report)
Use the Up/Down report type when you want to see the up (+), down (-), or zero change of up to five items from one period to the next to check price volatility.
What does this report do? The Up/Down report displays from one to five items you select, with each price represented as an up (+), down (–), or zero change from one time period to the next. The zero-line on the graph represents zero change in price from the previous week. Number of items: One to five. Data Frequency: Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Annual.
How can you use this report? You can see changes from one period to the next, which allows you to see how volatile the price of a selected item was over the date range selected. For example, many office wholesalers have disdain for flat markets because their margins are reduced. They typically want to take a position when prices are volatile. While this increases the risk, it also increases the reward. Using the Up/Down report in combination with the 5-year Overlay report will help traders to spot times when volatility is high, and to better predict which way the market is likely to turn.
Another example: You create a graph showing key Ponderosa Pine shop items. It displays how price fluctuations in the shop market have been severe in #3 while relatively stable in #2, and helps you assess downside risk for four high-profile Ponderosa Pine shop items.
(view PDF of Sample Yearbook Report)
The Yearbook report type will display monthly and annual averages, and five-year monthly averages, for an individual item, in a style similar to the printed Random Lengths Yearbook.
What does this report do? This report format is the same as a page in the current Random Lengths Yearbook. One item is selected, and a data table at the top showing the previous monthly average price history (11-years, same as the printed Yearbook, or all history, depending on which is selected), a graph displaying the five year trends, and five-year monthly averages at the bottom, for the one item selected. The current year information fills in as the year progresses. Number of items: One. Data Frequency: Monthly
How can you use this report? Straightforward price history of an individual item presented in the format of the popular Random Lengths Yearbook. The Yearbook report is an excellent way to keep a close eye on key items, and quickly identify market peaks and valleys.
(view PDF of Sample Zero-Line Comparison Report)
To see the differential (premium or discount) of up to four items compared to a zero-line item, use the Zero-Line Comparison report type.
What does this report do? A comparison of items against a zeroed baseline item, for the date range selected. Item #1 is the zero line, and Items from #2 to #4 will be compared to Item #1. Number of items: Two to five. Data Frequency: Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Annual.
How can you use this report? See how one or more item's price track vs. another item. View the differential (premium or discount) of up to four items compared to the zero-line item. The zero-line comparison is a good tool to help keep your inventory in proper balance. If you want to know which items are going to be at a premium or discounts to another item, this will help you in your buying patterns. For instance, when 2x6 typically begins to move to a premium to 2x4, you may want adjust your inventory to take advantage of this switch.
Another example: An unusually narrow price range between Ponderosa Pine #3 5/4 shop and 5/4 p. 99 creates widespread speculation in the industry that the spread could not maintain itself and could not grow tighter. You create a graph showing comparing the two items that clearly demonstrates that the spread was much narrower just last year, helping you realize that counting on the current spread widening may not be a sure bet, given recent history.
(view PDF of Sample Zero-Line Overlay Report)
The Zero-Line Overlay report type will help you determine whether the relationship between two items has a seasonal tendency.
What does this report do? A comparison of one item against another for over each of five years. Item 1 is selected as the baseline item that the other is compared to. Item 2 displays in five separate trend lines, one line for each year, in relationship up or down against the zero-line item selected to compare against. Number of items: Two. Data Frequency: Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly.
How can you use this report? Determine if the relationship between two items has a seasonal tendency. For example, you create a graph showing SYP 2x4 vs. 2x6 (Central zone) for last five years. For the most part, 2x4 holds a strong premium over 2x6 in the fourth quarter. Only once in the past five years has 2x6 held a premium over 2x4 in 4Q. And often times that premium has hit $50 and more. But 2x6 gains on 2x4 in the first quarter. Therefore, over the past five years, you see that a trader could purchase 2x6 in the fourth quarter and see it gain ground on 2x4 early in the year.
Another example: You create a graph titled Particleboard Coast vs. Inland that shows how the relationship between prices in these regions has changed in recent years. Traders used to expect Inland species to obtain a premium to Coast, but the graph clearly shows that is no longer a given, giving you valuable information you can put to use.
Samples by selected Product/Species Groups
All six report types are represented in each product/species group sample: 5-Year Overlay, Custom, Up/Down, Yearbook, Zero-Line Comparison, and Zero-Line Overlay.
ALL SAMPLES | By Report Type: 5-Year Overlay | Custom | Up/Down | Yearbook | Zero-Line Comparison | Zero-Line Overlay | By Product/Species Groups
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