WASHINGTON, D.C. – The average contractor is less confident regarding business prospects for the next six months, but the nonresidential construction recovery is anticipated to remain in place, according to the Associated Builders and Contractors Construction Confidence Index released recently. The diffusion index measures forward-looking construction industry expectations in sales, profit margins and staffing levels, with readings above 50 indicating growth.
According to the most recent survey, during the first half of 2016:
- Sales expectations fell from 67.0 to 64.1
- Profit margin expectations fell from 62.8 to 61.1
- Staffing level intentions rose from 63.9 to 64.9
Although two indices fell, all three indices remain well above the threshold for growth. This is of particular importance since construction is one of the few significant drivers of economic growth aside from ongoing increases in consumer outlays.
CCI is a diffusion index. Readings above 50 indicate growth, while readings below 50 are unfavorable. The following chart reflects the distribution of responses to ABC’s most recent surveys.