Marcum Commercial Construction Index Reports Nonresidential Construction Industry Slows, Economy Cools 

The Marcum Commercial Construction Index for the second quarter of 2019 reports construction spending slowing as the economy signals confusion and indecisiveness. Nonresidential construction spending declined 1.8% on a monthly basis in June but is up 2.3 % year-over-year. Total nonresidential spending in June was $773.8 billion on a seasonally adjusted annual basis, as compared to $756.4 billion in June 2018. The index is produced by Marcum’s National Construction Services group.   Eleven of the 16 nonresidential construction sectors expanded year-over-year, including lodging, office, healthcare, public safety, amusement and recreation, transportation, highway and street, sewage and waste disposal, water supply, … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , ,

Construction Spending Deteriorates in June, Multifamily + Nonresidential Categories Increase First Half 2019

Construction spending declined in June from May 2019 and June 2018 levels, but most categories other than single-family homebuilding ended the first half of the year ahead of the year-to-date totals for 2018, according to a recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new federal spending data. Association officials said that the monthly declines in construction spending may reflect the fact contractors are having a difficult time finding enough workers to keep pace with demand. “Although the initial estimates for spending in June show decreases from May in all major categories, the first half of 2019 as … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , , , , ,

Modest Increase in Nonresidential Spending in April, says ABC

According to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data recently released, national nonresidential construction spending rose .3% in April, totaling $792.6 billion on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, which is a 6.4% increase compared to the same time last year. While public nonresidential spending expanded 4.8% on a monthly basis and increased 15.4% since April 2018, private nonresidential spending fell 2.9% in April and is up just 0.6 % year-over-year. Among the 16 nonresidential construction spending categories, nine experienced an increase in monthly spending, with the largest increases registered in water supply (9.8%), highway and street … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , ,

Construction Spending Increases 1% from January to February

Construction spending increased by 1% from January to February, while construction employment increased compared to February 2018 levels in 275 out of 358 metro areas, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors. Association officials called on federal officials to support more career and technical education programs to prepare workers for in-demand careers like construction. “The spending increase in February follows an extremely strong 2.5% gain in January, which aligns with contractors’ reports that they were busy early in the year and expect to stay that way through 2019,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: ,

Construction Spending Slips in December, Yearly Totals Increase in Most Segments

Construction spending declined by 0.6 percent from November to December but increased from a year earlier in most major categories, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors. The new spending data shows strong overall demand for construction services, but association officials cautioned that labor shortages could undermine continued growth for the industry. “This data shows moderate and balanced growth across residential, private nonresidential and public construction segments,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “That fits with what contractors say they expect for 2019, as the association’s survey in January revealed.” Construction spending totaled … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , , ,