GDP Growth Expands Despite Reduction in Nonresidential Investment, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30—The U.S. economy expanded at an annualized rate of 1.9% in the third quarter of 2019 despite contracting levels of nonresidential investment, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Nonresidential fixed investment declined at a 3% annual rate in the third quarter after declining at a 1% rate in the second quarter. Read the rest of entry »

September Construction Unemployment Rates Down in 48 States Year Over Year, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30—In September, estimated not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rates fell nationally and in 48 states and rose in two states 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. For the fifth consecutive month, the construction unemployment rates for all 50 states were below 10%. For the nation and 29 states, this was their lowest September construction unemployment rate on record. Read the rest of entry »

Construction Contractors Remain Confident in August, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24—U.S. construction industry leaders remained confident in August 2019, according to the Construction Confidence Index released today by Associated Builders and Contractors. While contractors were less upbeat regarding sales growth over the coming six months, confidence associated with profit margins and staffing increased from July to August.

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ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Rebounds in August

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22—Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator climbed to nine months in August 2019, up 0.5 months or 5.4% from July 2019 when CBI stood at 8.5 months.

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Construction Input Prices Slide in September, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8—Construction input prices fell 0.6% in September and are down 1.7% year-over-year, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices fell 0.7% for the month and are down 1.4% compared to the same time last year.

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Nonresidential Construction Employment Rises in September, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 – The construction industry added 7,000 net new jobs in September, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has expanded by 156,000 jobs, an increase of 2.1%. 

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August Construction Unemployment Rates Up From a Year Ago, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2—In August, estimated not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rates rose nationally and in 31 states, fell in 13 states and remained unchanged in six 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. For the fourth month in a row, the construction unemployment rates for all 50 states were below 10%.

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Nonresidential Construction Spending Down in August, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1—National nonresidential construction spending declined 0.4% in August, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data published today. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, spending totaled $773.8 billion, 0.3% higher than in August 2018.

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ABC of Western Pennsylvania Files Suit Against Westmoreland County Union Mandate

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 23—Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Pennsylvania today filed a lawsuit to stop Westmoreland County from requiring its contractors to execute a project labor agreement with the Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades Council as a condition of winning certain taxpayer-funded public works construction contracts. In addition, the county is requiring contractors to fire any worker on a PLA project who does not join a union affiliated with the Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades Council within eight days of employment, including union workers belonging to a union not represented by the council.

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Construction Contractors Less Confident in July, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19—U.S. construction industry leaders’ confidence diminished somewhat in July 2019, yet they remain optimistic regarding nonresidential construction’s near-term prospects, according to the Construction Confidence Index released today by Associated Builders and Contractors.

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