Construction Input Prices Expand for Third Straight Month, Petroleum Prices Soar

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Construction input prices expanded 0.3 percent on a monthly basis and 4.8 percent on a year-over-year basis in February, according to a recent analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and released by ABC. This represents the most rapid yearly growth in construction input prices in more than five years. Only four key inputs tracked by BLS experienced monthly price declines, principally natural gas. Natural gas prices declined 18 percent in February, but are still up by more than 66 percent over the past year. Crude petroleum prices are up 107 percent over the past year. … Read more

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Construction Input Prices Begin to Trend Higher, ABC Reports

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Both nonresidential and overall construction input prices increased in September, with natural gas and crude petroleum prices bouncing back, according to analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index released by Associated Builders and Contractors. The BLS data show that nonresidential input prices expanded 0.3 percent on a monthly basis in September, and overall construction prices also rose 0.3 percent on a monthly basis after declining 0.2 percent in August. It is important to note that nonresidential input construction prices are now higher on a year-over-year basis for the first time since November 2014. … Read more

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Construction Input Prices Continue Ascent, Could Pressure Margins

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Construction input prices expanded in June, rising 1.1 percent on a monthly basis according to a recent analysis of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index released by Associated Builders and Contractors. This report marks the fourth consecutive month that input prices have expanded following eight straight months of decline. “Commodity prices stabilized in March and in many cases, including natural gas and oil, have been edging higher,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Accordingly, construction materials prices are now on the rise, which all things being equal translate into smaller profit margins. Alternatively, rising costs … Read more

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