This has been the result of lower lumber prices and higher operating costs.

Since last February, lumber prices have fallen more than 30 percent.

A slowdown in new home construction has also brought lumber prices down.

Thus the near doubling of lumber prices should add only about 5 percent to housing costs.

Lumber prices rose on an agreement with environmental groups that opened less land for logging than expected.

In reality, there is no evidence that environmental protection measures are driving up lumber prices.

On other markets, lumber prices rose while crude oil fell.

Yesterday, lumber prices fell for the 14th time in 16 trading sessions.

High lumber prices will force builders to build more carefully, using less wood.

Lumber prices, which represent about 10 percent of the business, softened considerably.