Nonresidential Construction Spending Stabilizes in August

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nonresidential construction spending expanded .5 percent in August, totaling $691.8 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis, according to an analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau by Associated Builders and Contractors. Though this represents an improvement from July’s total ($688.2 billion), nonresidential spending remains 3.4 percent below its year-ago level and is down 3.8 percent from the cyclical peak attained in May 2017. Spending levels expanded in 10 of the 16 nonresidential construction subsectors in August on a monthly basis. The manufacturing subsector experienced the largest absolute monthly decline (-$2.6 billion) and the greatest year-over-year … Read more

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ABC, USPAACC Ink MOU to Foster Competition in Construction

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Associated Builders and Contractors and the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the two organizations to work jointly to ensure that all contractors have a fair and equal opportunity to compete for and win contracts to build federal, state and locally funded construction projects. The agreement was signed by Chuck Goodrich, ABC 2017 chair, and CEOs Mike Bellaman and Susan Au Allen, respectively, during ABC’s board of directors meeting this summer. An initial area of focus for the two organizations is urging congressional action on the Fair and Open … Read more

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National Construction Unemployment Rate Ticks Up to 4.9 Percent in July

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WASHINGTON, Wash. – The national not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in July, up 0.4 percent from a year ago, but still the third lowest July rate on record—matching the July 2001 rate, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Unemployment rates increased in 34 states on a year-over-year basis, but the construction industry employed 186,000 more workers than in July 2016, according to an analysis released today by Associated Builders and Contractors. Rates fell in 14 states and were unchanged in two. Because these industry-specific rates are not seasonally adjusted, national and state-level unemployment rates are … Read more

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ABC Reports Construction Input Prices Plod Higher, Energy Prices Down

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Construction input prices increased .3 percent in July and are up 3 percent on a year-over-year basis, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonresidential construction input prices were in line with overall industry dynamics, increasing 0.3 percent for the month and 2.7 percent for the year. Eight of 11 key construction input prices rose in July. Among the inputs experiencing declines in prices were crude petroleum (down 8 percent) and natural gas (down 7 percent). Natural gas prices have fallen during four of the past six … Read more

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Construction Input Prices Tick Higher in June, Crude Petroleum Prices Rebound

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WASHINGTON, D.C. –Construction input prices rose .2 percent in June, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data released by Associated Builders and Contractors. This represents the sixth increase in construction input prices over the past seven months, but the overall rate of increase has been quite slow. On a year-over-year basis, construction input prices are up 2.6 percent. Nonresidential construction input prices also rose .2 percent in June and are up 2.3 percent on a year-ago basis. Much of the input price inflation in June was due to increased charges for crude petroleum, which registered a price … Read more

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