Forest products

PwC release the Net Earnings Summary Q1 2011. The quarterly report is prepared by PwC from financial statements issued by the companies. The summary identifies trends in performance by comparing financial results with previous periods.
Key highlights include:
Canada: Most Canadian forest and paper companies posted higher earnings for the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 despite continued weakness in North American demand, and volatility in the US housing market.

High inventory levels in Chinese ports have now converted to a lowering of in-market (CFR) pricing for New Zealand logs. A similar situation occurred this time last year when China was importing what were then record volumes of logs.

It’s super strong, it’s green and it’s providing new opportunities for business in Alberta. It’s called nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and Alberta is about to become a leader in its production and study.

Wood costs, which account for up 70 percent of production costs when manufacturing pulp, have gone up worldwide the past two years, according to the market report Wood Resource Quarterly.

Both the Housing Industry Association (HIA) and Master Builders Australia (MBA) have just released reports on the gloomy forecasts for the Australian building and construction industry, particularly in the residential sector.