ABC Contractor Backlog, Confidence Slip in October

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Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator fell to 8.4 months in October, according to an ABC member survey conducted Oct. 20-Nov. 4. The reading is down 0.1 months since September but unchanged from October 2024. Backlog was flat or increased on a monthly basis in each of the three industries considered in this survey. Backlog for respondents that do not primarily operate in any one industry—generally the smallest contractors responding to the survey—fell sharply for the month and stands at just 5.8 months. ABC’s Construction Confidence Index reading for sales was unchanged in October, while the … Read more

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ABC: Construction Backlog Stable; Contractors Remain Optimistic, Fueled by Data Center Growth

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Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its construction backlog indicator remained unchanged at 8.5 months in September, according to an ABC member survey conducted Sept. 22 to Oct. 6. The reading is down 0.1 months since September 2024. Over the past year, backlog has declined in the commercial and institutional and heavy industrial categories, while it has increased substantially in the infrastructure category. ABC’s Construction Confidence Index reading for sales declined in September, while the readings for profit margins and staffing both increased. The readings for all three components remain above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations for growth over … Read more

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ABC: Construction Backlog Indicator Rises, Contractor Optimism Slips in July

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Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.8 months in July, according to an ABC member survey conducted July 24 to Aug. 4. The reading is up 0.4 months since July 2024.  Backlog is up on a year-over-year basis in every region except for the South. Despite the lack of growth, backlog in the South remains significantly longer than in any other region. ABC’s Construction Confidence Index reading for sales and profit margins declined in July, while the reading for staffing levels rose to the highest level since April. The readings for all three components … 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: Contractors’ Backlog Falls Sharply in May

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Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator fell to 8.4 months in May, according to an ABC member survey conducted May 20 to June 3. The reading is up .1 months since May 2024. While the South maintains the longest backlog of any region, it was the only one to experience a decline in May. Only the Northeast has longer backlog on a year-over-year basis, while the other three regions experienced annual declines. ABC’s Construction Confidence Index reading for profit margins improved in May, while the readings for sales and staffing levels fell. The readings for all … Read more

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