Thursday 21 March 2024. - The construction-related wood panels, OSB and softwood plywood, have experienced poor demand for over a year. However, upon examining trade statistics from every continent, we observe that monthly shipping volumes have ceased declining and stabilized. In some cases, volumes are slightly improving, particularly with OSB. Simultaneously, central banks have halted their interest rate increases. In the USA, rates have remained flat since mid-2023, and in Europe, this occurred a bit later. Many businesses would welcome the lower rates to stimulate sluggish demand. Companies eagerly await central banks’ decisions, akin to a drooling dog. On Wednesday, March 20, the Fed kept the interest rate at the current level but announced plans to decrease it in the coming months. Cheaper money should rejuvenate the building sector,...