Contractors Remain Upbeat, According to ABC’s Latest Construction Confidence Index

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commercial and industrial construction contractors entered 2018 with abundant confidence regarding sales and staffing levels for the next six months, according to the latest Construction Confidence Index released by Associated Builders and Contractors. All three components surveyed—sales, profit margins and staffing levels—remained well above 50 in the diffusion index, signaling ongoing progress. But the average contractor is less confident about profit margins than they were a year ago. The CCI for sales expectations increased from 66.4 in the first half of 2017 to 67.1 The CCI for profit margin expectations fell from 62.4 to 60.7 The CCI … Read more

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Strong Economy, Weaker Dollar Help Construction Materials Prices Recover in January

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Overall construction input prices increased 1.1 percent in January, reversing a slight decline in December 2017, according to a recently released Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Compared to this time last year, overall construction materials prices are up 4.9 percent. Nonresidential construction materials prices are up 4.7 percent year over year and up 1 percent on a monthly basis. The price of natural gas fell 13.1 percent in January and is down 31 percent on a year-over-year basis. In stark contrast, the price of crude petroleum rose 11.6 percent in January … Read more

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Contractor Confidence Dips in First Half of 2016

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WASHINGTON, D.C.  – The average contractor is less confident regarding business prospects for the next six months, but the nonresidential construction recovery is anticipated to remain in place, according to the Associated Builders and Contractors Construction Confidence Index released recently. The diffusion index measures forward-looking construction industry expectations in sales, profit margins and staffing levels, with readings above 50 indicating growth. According to the most recent survey, during the first half of 2016: Sales expectations fell from 67.0 to 64.1 Profit margin expectations fell from 62.8 to 61.1 Staffing level intentions rose from 63.9 to 64.9 Although two indices fell, … Read more

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