flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator increases modestly in May

Market Data

ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator increases modestly in May

The Construction Backlog Indicator expanded to 8.9 months in May 2019.


By ABC | July 16, 2019

Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator expanded to 8.9 months in May 2019, up 0.2 months or 2.2% since April 2019, when CBI stood at 8.7 months. 

Nonresidential construction spending continues to be a significant source of economic strength in America, and the latest Construction Backlog Indicator strongly suggests that nonresidential construction spending will continue to be a major driver of business revenue growth and employment,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Despite concerns about the rising costs of material prices and labor impacting construction contracts, demand for nonresidential construction services remains elevated for now.

“In general, nonresidential construction spending patterns lag the broader economy by 12-18 months,” said Basu. “While nonresidential construction doesn’t keep pace with other industry segments during the early stages of an economic recovery, it can continue to see robust growth during the late stages of an economic expansion. With the economy continuing to demonstrate momentum along the dimensions of financial market performance, job creation, income growth and consumer spending, contractors can expect several additional quarters of spending growth.

“That said, infrastructure backlog declined sharply in May, which is likely a statistical aberration,” said Basu. “The infrastructure category is dominated by several very large firms, and changes in their idiosyncratic backlog can have major impacts on the overall reading. There is little reason to expect a meaningful dip in infrastructure spending in the near term given the improving financial health of many states and localities across the nation. Moreover, backlog in the commercial/institutional and heavy industrial segments rose in May. Several construction firms specializing in heavy industrial construction in the Midwest report substantial increases in construction backlog.”

 

 

 

 

 

Related Stories

Market Data | Jan 31, 2022

Canada's hotel construction pipeline ends 2021 with 262 projects and 35,325 rooms

At the close of 2021, projects under construction stand at 62 projects/8,100 rooms.

Market Data | Jan 27, 2022

Record high counts for franchise companies in the early planning stage at the end of Q4'21

Through year-end 2021, Marriott, Hilton, and IHG branded hotels represented 585 new hotel openings with 73,415 rooms.

Market Data | Jan 27, 2022

Dallas leads as the top market by project count in the U.S. hotel construction pipeline at year-end 2021

The market with the greatest number of projects already in the ground, at the end of the fourth quarter, is New York with 90 projects/14,513 rooms.

Market Data | Jan 26, 2022

2022 construction forecast: Healthcare, retail, industrial sectors to lead ‘healthy rebound’ for nonresidential construction

A panel of construction industry economists forecasts 5.4 percent growth for the nonresidential building sector in 2022, and a 6.1 percent bump in 2023.

Market Data | Jan 24, 2022

U.S. hotel construction pipeline stands at 4,814 projects/581,953 rooms at year-end 2021

Projects scheduled to start construction in the next 12 months stand at 1,821 projects/210,890 rooms at the end of the fourth quarter.

Market Data | Jan 19, 2022

Architecture firms end 2021 on a strong note

December’s Architectural Billings Index (ABI) score of 52.0 was an increase from 51.0 in November.

Market Data | Jan 13, 2022

Materials prices soar 20% in 2021 despite moderating in December

Most contractors in association survey list costs as top concern in 2022.

Market Data | Jan 12, 2022

Construction firms forsee growing demand for most types of projects

Seventy-four percent of firms plan to hire in 2022 despite supply-chain and labor challenges.

Market Data | Jan 7, 2022

Construction adds 22,000 jobs in December

Jobless rate falls to 5% as ongoing nonresidential recovery offsets rare dip in residential total.

Market Data | Jan 6, 2022

Inflation tempers optimism about construction in North America

Rider Levett Bucknall’s latest report cites labor shortages and supply chain snags among causes for cost increases.  

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