ABC: Contractor Optimism Grows as ABC’s Backlog Indicator Rebounds in June

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Associated Builders and Contractors reported its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.7 months in June, according to an ABC member survey conducted June 20 to July 7. The reading is up 0.3 months since June 2024. The largest contractors have nearly two months longer backlog than they did one year ago. While the smallest contractors have slightly longer backlog on a year-ago basis, backlog has fallen for contractors with $30-$100 million in annual revenues. ABC’s Construction Confidence Index reading for sales and profit margins improved in May, while the reading for staffing levels fell. The readings for all three components … Read more

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ABC: Construction Adds 15,000 Jobs in June

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The construction industry added 15,000 jobs on net in June, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis’ of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has increased by 121,000 jobs, or 1.5%. Nonresidential construction employment expanded by 9,200 positions on net, with growth registered in just 1 of 3 major subcategories. Nonresidential specialty trade added 12,400 jobs, while heavy and civil engineering and nonresidential building lost 2,800 and 400 jobs, respectively. The construction unemployment rate fell to 3.4% last month. Unemployment across all industries declined from 4.2% in May to 4.1% … Read more

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ABC: Construction Hiring Remains Sluggish in May

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The construction industry had 245,000 job openings on the last day of May, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors’ analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings increased by 3,000 last month but are down by 130,000 from the same time last year. “Industrywide labor demand continued to be subdued in May,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “The year-to-date construction hiring rate is lower than in any year since the start … Read more

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Nonresidential Construction Spending Down 0.2% in May, Says ABC

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National nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.2% in May, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors’ analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.237 trillion. Spending was down on a monthly basis in half of the nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending was down 0.4%, while public nonresidential construction spending was practically unchanged in May. “Nonresidential construction spending declined for the fourth straight month in May,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Private sector nonresidential activity remains particularly weak and is down nearly 7% from its January 2023 peak. Manufacturing investment, … Read more

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ABC Names 2025 Top-Performing US Construction Contractors

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Associated Builders and Contractors recently announced its 2025 Top Performers lists, recognizing its contractor members’ outstanding achievements in safety, quality, inclusion, project excellence and special designations ranked by number of hours worked. The No. 1 2025 ABC Top Performer by work hours is Turner Industries Group, followed by BL Harbert International, Brown & Root Industrial Services, Performance Contractors and MMR Constructors. “Competition is a healthy constant in the ever-evolving world of construction, and these companies believe fair and open competition based on merit fosters innovation, increases value and delivers results for the betterment of the individual, the industry and the … Read more

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