flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator falls in April; Contractor Confidence rebounds from historic lows

Market Data

ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator falls in April; Contractor Confidence rebounds from historic lows

Nonresidential construction backlog is down 0.4 months compared to the March 2020 ABC survey and 1.7 months from April 2019.


By ABC | May 12, 2020

Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator fell to 7.8 months in April, the series’ lowest reading since the third quarter of 2012. Based on an ABC member survey conducted April 20-May 4, the results indicate that confidence among U.S. construction industry leaders inched higher last month compared to the historically low levels observed in the March survey.

Nonresidential construction backlog is down 0.4 months compared to the March 2020 ABC survey and 1.7 months from April 2019. Backlog has declined year-over-year in every industry classification, region and company size. Backlog in the infrastructure category has been stable, however, and reached its highest level since December 2019.

ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales, profit margins and staffing levels expectations all increased from the historically low levels reported in the March 2020 survey, although sales and profit margin expectations remain below the threshold of 50, indicating ongoing expectations of contraction. The staffing level index rose to 51.4 in April, however, indicating positive hiring expectations over the next six months.

 

 

More than 55% of contractors expect their sales to decline over the next six months compared to just 34% who expect them to increase. Only 27% of contractors expect to increase their profit margins over the next two quarters. More than half expect to experience diminished margins.

  • The CCI for sales expectations increased from 38.1 to 41.1 in April.
  • The CCI for profit margin expectations increased from 36.6 to 39.8.
  • The CCI for staffing levels increased from 45.2 to 51.4.

 

 

“Backlog has not been quite the protective shield that it normally is during the early stages of an economic downturn,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “These survey data indicate that only 30% of nonresidential contractors have enjoyed uninterrupted work flows recently. Roughly two in five contractors indicate that their work has been interrupted by government mandate. Other sources of interruption to construction projects include labor force issues as well as a lack of personal protective equipment and/or key construction inputs.

“Given the large quantity of businesses that will likely not survive the public health and economic crisis, demand for construction services could be suppressed for quite some time,” said Basu. “Vacant storefronts, empty office suites and shattered state and local government finances do not serve as a solid foundation for robust demand for construction services. For construction activity to rebound briskly, the federal government is going to have to step forward and provide substantial assistance to state and local governments, including to finance infrastructure improvements.” 

 

 


 

Note: The reference months for the Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index data series were revised on May 12 to better reflect the survey period. CBI quantifies the previous month’s work under contract based on the latest financials available, while CCI measures contractors’ outlook for the next six months.

Related Stories

Market Data | Jan 6, 2022

A new survey offers a snapshot of New York’s construction market

Anchin’s poll of 20 AEC clients finds a “growing optimism,” but also multiple pressure points.

Market Data | Jan 3, 2022

Construction spending in November increases from October and year ago

Construction spending in November totaled $1.63 trillion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate.

Market Data | Dec 22, 2021

Two out of three metro areas add construction jobs from November 2020 to November 2021

Construction employment increased in 237 or 66% of 358 metro areas over the last 12 months.

Market Data | Dec 17, 2021

Construction jobs exceed pre-pandemic level in 18 states and D.C.

Firms struggle to find qualified workers to keep up with demand.

Market Data | Dec 15, 2021

Widespread steep increases in materials costs in November outrun prices for construction projects

Construction officials say efforts to address supply chain challenges have been insufficient.

Market Data | Dec 15, 2021

Demand for design services continues to grow

Changing conditions could be on the horizon.

Market Data | Dec 5, 2021

Construction adds 31,000 jobs in November

Gains were in all segments, but the industry will need even more workers as demand accelerates.

Market Data | Dec 5, 2021

Construction spending rebounds in October

Growth in most public and private nonresidential types is offsetting the decline in residential work.

Market Data | Dec 5, 2021

Nonresidential construction spending increases nearly 1% in October

Spending was up on a monthly basis in 13 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories.

Market Data | Nov 30, 2021

Two-thirds of metro areas add construction jobs from October 2020 to October 2021

The pandemic and supply chain woes may limit gains.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021