Nonresidential construction spending fell 2.1% in April according to analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data released by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Nonresidential spending totaled $688.2 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized rate.
Much like last month, the sting of a disappointing headline number was mitigated by upward revisions to the previous two months of data. March's estimate was revised from $695.7 billion to $702.6 billion, while February's estimate saw a 0.1% increase. March represents the first month in which spending exceeded $700 billion since March 2009.
"Nonresidential construction spending growth continues to struggle to maintain momentum," said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. "The amount of nonresidential construction value put in place has expanded by just 2.5% over the past year, with private spending up 3.4% and public spending up just 1.4%. While many will primarily attribute this to a sluggish U.S. economy, one that has expanded by less than 1.5% during each of the last two completed calendar quarters, there are other factors at work.
"Lower materials prices are embodied in the value of completed work," said Basu. "Though commodity prices have been firming recently, commodity prices had been in decline for more than a year. Moreover, in some communities, nonresidential construction is facing severe constraints given an insufficient number of qualified workers. Both factors would tend to constrain the level of observed growth in nonresidential construction spending.
"There may also be growing skittishness among private developers, who have become increasingly concerned by possible overbuilding in commercial, office and lodging markets," warned Basu. "Both lodging and commercial construction spending dipped in April. This hesitancy is reflected in many ways, including in the Architectural Billings Index, which has struggled to consistently stand meaningfully above its threshold value of 50. Public spending also remains lackluster as many states deal with underfunded pensions and ballooning Medicaid costs."
Only five of 16 nonresidential construction sectors experienced spending increases in April on a monthly basis:
- Religious-related spending expanded 9.6% from March 2016 and 7.3% from April 2015.
- Spending in the public safety category grew 5.2% on a monthly basis but fell 6.2% on a yearly basis.
- Office-related spending expanded 1.6% for the month and 20.3% for the year.
- Amusement and recreation-related spending expanded 0.8% month-over-month and 8.3% year-over-year.
- Spending in the power category rose by 0.3% for the month and 0.6% from April 2015.
Spending in 11 of the nonresidential construction subsectors fell in April on a monthly basis:
- Spending in the communication category fell 7.7% from March 2016 and is down 16.4% from April 2015.
- Highway and street-related spending fell 6.5% on a monthly basis but is up 4% on a yearly basis.
- Commercial-related spending dipped 3.7% for the month but is up 6.8% from April 2015.
- Spending in the health care category fell 3% from March 2016 and is down 0.6% from the same month one year ago.
- Educational-related spending dropped 2.4% month-over-month but is up 5.4% year-over-year.
- Spending in the lodging category fell 2% on a monthly basis but is up 24.6% on a yearly basis.
- Transportation-related spending fell 1.7% since March 2016 and is down 1% from April 2015.
- Sewage and waste disposal-related spending fell 1.4% for the month but is up 1% from April 2015.
- Manufacturing-related spending fell 1.4% month-over-month and 9.8% year-over-year.
- Spending in the conservation and development category dipped 1.2% for the month and 6.5% year-over-year.
- Water supply-related spending fell 0.5% on a monthly basis and 6.5% on a yearly basis.
Related Stories
Market Data | Apr 13, 2017
2016’s top 10 states for commercial development
Three new states creep into the top 10 while first and second place remain unchanged.
Market Data | Apr 6, 2017
Architecture marketing: 5 tools to measure success
We’ve identified five architecture marketing tools that will help your firm evaluate if it’s on the track to more leads, higher growth, and broader brand visibility.
Market Data | Apr 3, 2017
Public nonresidential construction spending rebounds; overall spending unchanged in February
The segment totaled $701.9 billion on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate for the month, marking the seventh consecutive month in which nonresidential spending sat above the $700 billion threshold.
Market Data | Mar 29, 2017
Contractor confidence ends 2016 down but still in positive territory
Although all three diffusion indices in the survey fell by more than five points they remain well above the threshold of 50, which signals that construction activity will continue to be one of the few significant drivers of economic growth.
Market Data | Mar 24, 2017
These are the most and least innovative states for 2017
Connecticut, Virginia, and Maryland are all in the top 10 most innovative states, but none of them were able to claim the number one spot.
Market Data | Mar 22, 2017
After a strong year, construction industry anxious about Washington’s proposed policy shifts
Impacts on labor and materials costs at issue, according to latest JLL report.
Market Data | Mar 22, 2017
Architecture Billings Index rebounds into positive territory
Business conditions projected to solidify moving into the spring and summer.
Market Data | Mar 15, 2017
ABC's Construction Backlog Indicator fell to end 2016
Contractors in each segment surveyed all saw lower backlog during the fourth quarter, with firms in the heavy industrial segment experiencing the largest drop.
Market Data | Feb 28, 2017
Leopardo’s 2017 Construction Economics Report shows year-over-year construction spending increase of 4.2%
The pace of growth was slower than in 2015, however.
Market Data | Feb 23, 2017
Entering 2017, architecture billings slip modestly
Despite minor slowdown in overall billings, commercial/ industrial and institutional sectors post strongest gains in over 12 months.