Construction Input Prices Remain Flat in October, ABC Says

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Construction input prices remained unchanged in October and are just 0.5 percent above where they were a year ago, according to analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index released by Associated Builders and Contractors. Despite the modest increase in the aggregate input price level, the most recent report represents the largest year-over-year price increase since November 2014. Generally, construction input prices, particularly natural gas and crude petroleum, have headed lower since the summer of 2014. However, that pattern of falling prices no longer holds. Crude petroleum prices were up 10.5 percent on a … Read more

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Dodge Momentum Index Moves Higher in October

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NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Dodge Momentum Index grew 4.1 percent in October to 133.6 from its revised September reading of 128.3 (2000=100). The index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. October’s gain nearly reversed the loss in September, and returns the Momentum Index to the rising trend that began earlier in the year. The commercial component of the Momentum Index rose 6.1 percent in October, and is 20 percent above last year. This suggests … Read more

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Nonresidential Construction Spending Down in September, August Data Upwardly Revised

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nonresidential construction spending fell 0.9 percent from August to September 2016, according to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data released by Associated Builders and Contractors. Nonresidential spending totaled $690.5 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis for the month, 0.7 percent below September 2015’s figure. The government revised the August nonresidential construction spending estimate from $686.6 billion to $696.6 billion; otherwise September spending would have risen on a month-over-month basis. Eleven of 16 nonresidential construction subsectors experienced monthly declines. “Since late 2015, the level of nonresidential construction spending in America has been effectively flat,” said ABC … Read more

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Construction Employment Conditions Vary Widely Between September 2015, 2016

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Construction employment conditions varied widely by metro area between September 2015 and September 2016 as contractors in many areas struggled to find qualified workers while others contending with shrinking public budgets for infrastructure, according to a new analysis of federal employment data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the new data shows the need to enact career and technical education reforms along with infrastructure funding. “Overall, the employment picture for construction workers is positive—the number of metro areas adding construction jobs in the past year was more than triple the number that lost jobs,” … Read more

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Rider Levett Bucknall Releases Q3 USA Construction Report

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PHOENIX, Ariz. – In its latest quarterly survey of U.S. construction costs, international property and construction cost-consultant firm Rider Levett Bucknall reports that construction spending in the United States is on track to increase approximately 6 percent in 2016. Overall, the national average increase in construction costs for the quarter was approximately 1.5 percent. While spending is falling short of the robust 20 percent growth seen by select segments of the industry in 2015, the outlook for the construction field is reasonably favorable, notes the report. Continued low interest rates, rising consumer confidence and healthy job growth also contribute to … Read more

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