Construction Employment Increases by 44K in January, 142K Over 12 Months

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Construction employment increased by 44,000 jobs in January and by 142,000 over the past 12 months, as the industry’s unemployment rate hit a new January low, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the employment gains are happening at a time when most construction firms expect demand for all types of construction to remain strong.   “Construction accounted for one-fifth of all jobs added in January, even though the industry makes up less than 5% of total employment,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, noting that the … Read more

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Dodge Momentum Index Moves Higher in December

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The Dodge Momentum Index increased 1.5% in December to 156.2 (2000=100) from the revised November reading of 153.9. The momentum index, issued by Dodge Data & Analytics, 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. Both components of the momentum index rose over the month – the institutional component gained 2.3%, while the commercial component rose 0.9%. For the full year, the momentum index averaged 141.9, a decline of 3.7% from 2018’s average. In 2019, the commercial … Read more

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Nonresidential Construction Falls Again in December, Says ABC

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National nonresidential construction spending declined 1.2% in December 2019 but is up 4.4% on a year-ago basis, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, spending totaled $779.6 billion in December. Private nonresidential spending fell 1.8% on a monthly basis and is down by 0.1% compared to December 2018. Public nonresidential construction spending also slipped in December, falling 0.4% for the month. On a year-over-year basis, public nonresidential spending is up 11.2%. “The transition from a private construction-led recovery to a public construction-led recovery is complete,” … Read more

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AGC Reports on December Construction Employment Analysis

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Thirty-four states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between December 2018 and December 2019, while construction employment increased in 29 states from November to December, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data.  Officials added that most contractors expect to continue adding to their payrolls in 2020, according to the results of the association’s annual construction forecast. “Construction employment consistently expanded in at least two-thirds of the states throughout 2019, even though contractors reported difficulty in finding qualified workers all year long,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “As long … Read more

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Dodge Momentum Index Moves Higher in December

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The Dodge Momentum Index increased 1.5% in December to 156.2 (2000=100) from the revised November reading of 153.9. The momentum index, issued by Dodge Data & Analytics, 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. Both components of the momentum index rose over the month – the institutional component gained 2.3%, while the commercial component rose 0.9%. For the full year, the momentum index averaged 141.9, a decline of 3.7% from 2018’s average. In 2019, the commercial … Read more

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