Boise Cascade (BCC) falls after Q1 call highlights housing weakness, margin pressure

Boise Cascade (BCC) traded at $70.68 after its first-quarter earnings call, down from $74.33 before the report, as management cited weaker residential construction demand and profitability pressure. CEO Jeff Strom pointed to lower single-family housing starts, volatile mortgage rates, severe weather and cautious consumer sentiment as drivers of the year-over-year sales decline. CFO Kelly Hibbs said higher selling and distribution expenses and lower gross margins weighed on earnings. Investors are focused on the pace of margin recovery in the Distribution segment, competitive pressure from Brazilian plywood imports and whether digital tools and specialty products can offset demand headwinds. Management also said new safeguards are in place related to a legacy legal matter.