Paper — Price Hikes Blindside Printers!

One paper purchaser for a major national printer, speaking on the condition that he not be identified, believes the announced increases are designed to clean up the spot market. He points out that most of the increases were aimed at merchant tons rather than at mill-direct, contracted tons.

Expected Increases
One example that the increases were unexpected is the low level of consumer inventories. When buyers expect a price raise, they'll accumulate inventory, particularly free sheet.