ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Hits a New High in Second Quarter of 2018

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17—Associated Builders and Contractors reports that its Construction Backlog Indicator expanded to a record 9.9 months during the second quarter of 2018. Backlog is up 12.2 percent from the first quarter and 14 percent compared to the same time last year.  Read the rest of entry »

Construction Material Prices Fall in August, says ABC

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12—Prices for inputs to construction fell 0.5 percent in August but are 8.1 percent higher than at the same time one year ago, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices fell 0.4 percent in August but are up 8.3 percent year-over-year. Softwood lumber prices plummeted 9.6 percent in August yet are up 5 percent on a yearly basis (down from a 19.5 percent increase year-over-year in July). Read the rest of entry »

Construction Employment Retains Momentum in August, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7—The U.S. construction industry added 23,000 net new jobs in August, an increase from the 18,000 net new jobs added in July, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data supplied by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The industry has added 297,000 net new jobs since August 2017, a 4.3 percent increase. Nonresidential construction employment increased by 9,600 net jobs in August, although the heavy and civil engineering category lost 200 net jobs for the month. Read the rest of entry »

Strategic Partner United Rentals to Sponsor Diversity Program

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2018—Associated Builders and Contractors recently announced that United Rentals, Inc., the world’s largest equipment rental company, has signed on as the sponsor of ABC’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, including the Diversity & Inclusion Summit and National Diversity Excellence Awards.    Read the rest of entry »

Public Nonresidential Construction Up in July, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4—National nonresidential construction spending declined 0.3 percent in July, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data released today. Total nonresidential spending stood at $748.8 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized rate in July, an increase of 5.3 percent from the same time last year. Private nonresidential spending fell 1 percent in July, while public nonresidential spending expanded 0.7 percent. Read the rest of entry »

July Construction Unemployment Rates Down in Every State Year Over Year, Says ABC

 WASHINGTON, Aug. 28—For the second time this year, estimated June construction unemployment rates fell in every state and nationally on a year-over-year basis, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today by Associated Builders and Contractors. Read the rest of entry »

Construction Material Prices Inch Down in July, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9—Prices for inputs to construction fell 0.2 percent in July but are 9.5 percent higher than a year ago, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices fell 0.3 percent in July but are up 9.6 percent year over year. Softwood lumber prices are up 19.5 percent from July 2017, while iron and steel prices are up 13.4 percent. Read the rest of entry »

Construction Adds 19,000 Jobs as Unemployment Plummets in July, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3—The U.S. construction industry added 19,000 net new jobs in July after adding 13,000 net new jobs in June, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data supplied by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The industry has added 308,000 net new jobs since the first of the year, a robust increase of 4.4 percent. Read the rest of entry »

Nonresidential Construction Spending Dips in June, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1—Nonresidential construction spending contracted 1.6 percent on a monthly basis in June, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data released today. Spending totaled $742.4 billion on a seasonally adjusted annual rate for the month, a 4.2 percent increase from the same time one year ago. Private nonresidential spending fell 0.3 percent in June, while public nonresidential spending contracted by 3.5 percent.

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ABC Applauds Reauthorization of Perkins Act to Drive Workforce Education

WASHINGTON, July 31—Associated Builders and Contractors today praised Congress and the administration for passing a bipartisan reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, one of the key federal programs that supports vocational education programs that align with local workforce needs and lead to industry-recognized credentials. Read the rest of entry »