Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) forecasts a continued steady economic recovery for the U.S. commercial and industrial construction industries in 2016. Despite a weak global economy, the industry’s solid economic recovery in 2015 should continue in 2016, led by strong consumer spending. “As the mid-phase of the economic recovery continues, ABC forecasts growth in nonresidential construction spending of 7.4 percent next year along with growth in employment and backlog,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “The mid-phase of the recovery is typically the lengthiest part and ultimately gives way to the late phase, when the economy overheats. The current recovery […]
November Construction Slides 5 Percent
NEW YORK, N.Y. — At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $563.3 billion, new construction starts in November fell 5 percent from the previous month, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. The decline represented a partial pullback after the 13 percent increase reported for total construction in October, as nonresidential building lost some momentum following its improved October pace. Decreased activity was also reported for housing in November, while the nonbuilding construction sector (public works and electric utilities/gas plants) held steady. During the first eleven months of 2015, total construction starts on an unadjusted basis were $597.9 billion, up 8 percent […]
Construction Employment Posts Widespread Growth in November
Strong demand for construction projects fueled job growth in November in 38 states compared to October and in all but six states over the past 12 months, according to an analysis of Labor Department data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said, however, that the shortage of available workers was likely keeping firms from expanding headcounts even more rapidly in many parts of the country. “In nearly every state, contractors are busier now than a year ago,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. “Employment is up, but the industry would be expanding even […]
Index Indicates Improvement in Risk Exposure Perception in Construction Industry
ATLANTA, Ga. — Construction companies are growing more optimistic about their risk exposure as they round out 2015, with respondents reporting in a new survey that their “risk sentiment” has dropped to 4.4 on a scale of 1-10 on (down from 5.2 earlier this year). The latest “Sterling Risk Advisors Risk Sentiment Index” shows that while profit margins continue to improve, companies are more concerned than ever about staffing, with access to adequate numbers of employees deepening its hold as the No. 1 risk to businesses. “Sterling’s Risk Sentiment Index clearly shows that most construction contractors continue to see a significant […]
Construction Employment Increases Year-Over-Year, Demand for Construction Grows
Construction employment increased in 180 out of 358 metro areas, was unchanged in 46 and declined in 132 between October 2014 and October 2015, according to a new analysis of federal employment data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials attributed the fact that over half of the nation’s metro areas added construction jobs to growing demand for construction but cautioned that labor shortages could be impeding employment growth in parts of the country. “Contractors are adding workers in many parts of the country again, which is consistent with the robust growth that is occurring in […]




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