The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that West Fraser Timber's share price has rallied over the past several weeks amid surprising strength in homebuilding activity in the United States and renewed hope the economy could skirt a recession. The Globe's David Berman writes, however, that this upbeat backdrop now puts a lot of pressure on the B.C. lumber producer's coming financials, which will be released July 26. West Fraser's share price has risen more than 25 per cent since the start of June, putting it near the top of its recent trading range over the past year and leaving little room for disappointment. The gains follow a topsy-turvy environment for lumber: from shortages and record-high prices two years ago, to a near-collapse over the past 12 months as the lumber market reacted to soaring interest rates, an unsettled U.S. housing market and fears of an oncoming recession. The framing lumber composite price -- for the wood used in homebuilding -- rose above $1,500 (U.S.) per thousand board feet in May, 2021; the price at the start of June was below $400 (U.S.). John Duncanson, an analyst at Corton Capital's Global Timber Fund, expects the outlook for the second half of this year will be positive.