Behind the Numbers: Did US Glass Prices Rise in November?

The price of U.S. glass products and manufacturing remained flat in November 2023. This is according to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics (DOL), which released its monthly Producer Price Index (PPI) this past week. The PPI measures the average price changes that businesses pay to suppliers.

DOL’s data shows that glass and glass product manufacturing prices were steady (0%) in November. The segment’s prices fell slightly in October (-0.1%), which helped offset a 0.6% increase in September. Prices for glass products and manufacturing dropped by a combined 0.12% in June and July. Year-over-year prices for the segment are 4.2% higher than this time last year.

Overall, the PPI rose 0.9% for the 12 months ended in November, down from a 1.2% annual increase in October. DOL’s data shows that November’s gain is below the 2011 to 2019 average of 1.68%.

Flat Glass – Flat glass prices were even in November. This ends two months of rising costs, which nullified falling prices throughout the summer. The year-over-year price for flat glass remains up 1.1% compared to November 2022.

Flat Glass Manufacturing – Flat glass manufacturing prices dropped by 0.1% in November. Manufacturing prices for the segment rose by 0.2% in October, the first such increase in several months. Year-over-year prices for flat glass manufacturing are 6.3% lower than this time last year.

Fabricated Structural Metal Products – Prices for fabricated structural metal products rose by 0.3% in November. This follows a 0.8% increase in October. This is the fifth month of elevated prices for the segment’s products. However, year-over-year prices for the segment are down 0.7% compared to November 2022.

Ornamental and Architectural Metalwork – The price of ornamental and architectural metalwork products increased by 0.1% in November. Prices for the segment were steady in October, following a 0.8% jump in September. Compared to November 2022, the segment’s products are up 1% year-over-year.

Metal Windows – Metal window prices declined by 0.1% in November. Prices for metal windows have either remained flat or decreased during much of 2023. Year-over-year metal window prices are down 0.5%.

Metal Doors and Frames – The price of metal doors and frames dropped by 0.1% in November. This follows steady prices in October and a 0.6% increase in September. The price of metal doors and frames is up 2.1% year-over-year compared to November 2022.

Builders’ Hardware – The prices of builders’ hardware, which includes window hardware, remained unchanged in November. Prices for builders’ hardware went relatively unscathed throughout 2023 despite economic concerns. The year-over-year price for builders’ hardware is up 0.8%.