Construction input prices dipped 0.1% in September compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices also fell 0.1% for the month.
Construction input prices are up 16.3% from a year ago, while nonresidential construction input prices are 15.9% higher. Input prices were down in six of 11 subcategories on a monthly basis. Steel mill prices fell 6.7% and iron and steel prices dropped 5.4%. Natural gas prices rose 3.1%, while crude petroleum prices were down 3.4% in September. Overall producer prices expanded 0.4% in September, a larger increase than the consensus estimate of 0.2%.
“Investors and other stakeholders are eagerly awaiting any indications of meaningful declines in inflationary pressures,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Elevated inflation and interest rate increases have not only undone momentum in America’s homebuilding industry but also threaten the entire global economy. There are already indications of growing financial stress, including at banking giant Credit Suisse. This is bad news for the heavily financed real estate and construction segments.
“While many American nonresidential contractors remain upbeat, according to ABC’s Construction Confidence Index, there are significant threats looming over the industry,” said Basu. “Next year stands to be a weak one for the U.S. economy as it continues to absorb the impacts of rapidly rising borrowing costs.
“Today’s PPI release strongly suggests that there is no impending end to the Federal Reserve’s rate-tightening, which means that negative factors threatening the broader economy and nonresidential construction are only getting stronger,” said Basu. “While nonresidential input prices fell slightly, inflation came in hotter than anticipated in the overall report. For contractors, the upshot is that they should be actively preparing their respective balance sheets for a downturn, even as many firms presently operate at capacity.”
Related Stories
Market Data | Apr 29, 2019
U.S. economic growth crosses 3% threshold to begin the year
Growth was fueled by myriad factors, including personal consumption expenditures, private inventory investment, surprisingly rapid growth in exports, state and local government spending and intellectual property.
Market Data | Apr 18, 2019
ABC report: 'Confidence seems to be making a comeback in America'
The Construction Confidence Index remained strong in February, according to the Associated Builders and Contractors.
Market Data | Apr 16, 2019
ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator rebounds in February
ABC's Construction Backlog Indicator expanded to 8.8 months in February 2019.
Market Data | Apr 8, 2019
Engineering, construction spending to rise 3% in 2019: FMI outlook
Top-performing segments forecast in 2019 include transportation, public safety, and education.
Market Data | Apr 1, 2019
Nonresidential spending expands again in February
Private nonresidential spending fell 0.5% for the month and is only up 0.1% on a year-over-year basis.
Market Data | Mar 22, 2019
Construction contractors regain confidence in January 2019
Expectations for sales during the coming six-month period remained especially upbeat in January.
Market Data | Mar 21, 2019
Billings moderate in February following robust New Year
AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for February was 50.3, down from 55.3 in January.
Market Data | Mar 19, 2019
ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator declines sharply in January 2019
The Construction Backlog Indicator contracted to 8.1 months during January 2019.
Market Data | Mar 15, 2019
2019 starts off with expansion in nonresidential spending
At a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, nonresidential spending totaled $762.5 billion for the month.
Market Data | Mar 14, 2019
Construction input prices rise for first time since October
Of the 11 construction subcategories, seven experienced price declines for the month.
