ABC: Backlog, Profit Margin Expectations Improve in April Despite Tariff Impacts

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Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to a 20-month high of 8.7 months in April, according to an ABC member survey conducted April 22 to May 6. The reading is up 0.3 months since April 2024. Backlog has increased significantly over the past year for contractors with greater than $100 million in annual revenues. While backlog has also risen modestly for the smallest contractors, it is down on an annual basis for those with $30 million to $100 million in annual revenues. ABC’s Construction Confidence Index reading for profit margins improved in April, while the … Read more

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ABC: Monthly Construction Economic Survey Shows Tariff Impacts Emerge

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Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.5 months in March, according to an ABC member survey conducted March 20 to April 6. The reading is up 0.3 months since March 2024. Backlog increased on a monthly basis for all nonresidential subsegments in March. Over the past year, however, only the infrastructure category has experienced a meaningful increase in backlog. ABC’s Construction Confidence Index reading for staffing improved, while the readings for sales and profit margins fell. The readings for all three components remain above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations for growth over … Read more

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ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Holds Steady in November, Contractor Confidence Surges

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Associated Builders and Contractors reported its Construction Backlog Indicator remained unchanged at 8.4 months in November, according to an ABC member survey conducted Nov. 20-Dec. 3. The reading is down .1 months from November 2023. Backlog in the infrastructure category contracted in November, though it is still the only category with higher backlog on a year-over-year basis. ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales, profit margins and staffing levels improved in November. The readings for all three components remain above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations for growth over the next six months. “Contractor confidence surged in November even though … Read more

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Construction Backlog Indicator Slips in October, Contractor Confidence Remains Elevated

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Associated Builders and Contractors’ Construction Backlog Indicator fell to 8.4 months in October, according to an ABC member survey conducted Oct. 21-Nov. 4. The reading is unchanged from October 2023. Backlog fell in every region except for the Northeast in October, reversing the previous month’s trend in which every region except for the Northeast saw an increase in backlog. Only the Middle States have longer backlog than one year ago. ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales and staffing levels improved in October, while the reading for profit margins inched slightly lower. The readings for all three components are above … Read more

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Construction Backlog Indicator Rebounds in September, Contractor Confidence Improves

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Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to 8.6 months in September, according to an ABC member survey conducted Sept. 20-Oct. 4. The reading is down .4 months from September 2023. Backlog increased in every region except for the Northeast in September. On a year-over-year basis, however, only the Middle States have longer backlog than one year ago. ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales, profit margins and staffing levels improved in September. The readings for all three components are above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations for growth over the next six months. Visit abc.org/economics for the … Read more

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