Year-on-Year

The annual increment in the construction materials retail price index (CMRPI) in the National Capital Region (NCR) further decelerated to 1.1 percent in December from 1.2 percent in November. Annual declines were noted in the following commodity groups: Carpentry materials index, -0.8 percent from -0.9 percent; painting materials and related compounds index, -0.1 percent from zero growth; and plumbing materials index, -0.2 percent from 1.3 percent. The miscellaneous construction materials index retained its annual negative rate of 1.6 percent. In addition, slower annual increases were correspondingly recorded in the indices of electrical and tinsmithry materials at 1.8 percent and 5.4 percent from their last month’s rates of 2.2 percent and 6.1 percent, respectively. On the contrary, a higher annual mark-up was recorded in masonry materials index at 3.9 percent from 2.9 percent.

The annual average growth of the CMRPI for all items for the year 2013 in NCR slowed down to 2.7 percent from 3.9 percent in 2012. The annual average adjustment in miscellaneous construction materials index dropped by 1.1 percent from a growth of 11.8 percent. Moreover, the annual average hike in carpentry materials index eased to 0.4 percent in 2013 from 2.0 percent in 2012; electrical materials index, 4.0 percent from 5.3 percent; painting materials and related compounds index, 0.7 percent from 2.8 percent; and plumbing materials index, 1.4 percent from 2.2 percent. Meanwhile, the annual average rates in masonry materials index advanced to 10.3 percent from 7.2 percent and tinsmithry materials index, 5.0 percent from -2.2 percent.

Month-on-Month

The CMRPI in NCR registered a zero growth in December from -0.3 in November due to the offsetting price movements observed among the commodity groups. Decreases were noted in masonry materials index at -0.2 percent and painting materials and related compounds and plumbing materials indices -0.1 percent. The index for tinsmithry materials moved up at a slower pace of 0.1 percent from 0.5 percent. On the other hand, the carpentry materials index picked up 0.1 percent from -1.5 percent while the miscellaneous construction materials index retained its last month’s rate of 0.3 percent. The electrical materials index still posted a zero growth.

Price cuts were recorded in cement, sand, paint and faucet. Meanwhile, nails, GI sheets and steel bars were generally priced higher during the month.