Lumber Has Biggest Weekly Gain in Two Months on Economy Outlook

Lumber prices climbed, capping the biggest weekly gain in two months, on signs of optimism in the U.S. economy.

U.S. wholesale inventories rose in July by the most in two years as a rebound in demand spurred companies to add to stockpiles, Commerce Department data showed today. The amount of goods on hand compared with sales indicated that manufacturing gains will be sustained in coming months. Lumber soared as much as 6 percent, extending a rally to a three-month high.