Associated Builders and Contractors reports today that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to 9.0 months in September, according to an ABC member survey conducted Sept. 20 to Oct. 5. The reading is 1.4 months higher than in September 2021.
View ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index tables for September 2022.
Backlog reached its highest level since May 2022 and is once again above the level observed at the start of the pandemic (8.9 months in February 2020). Backlog in heavy industrial increased sizably in September, spurred by a 21.5% year-over-year increase in manufacturing-related construction spending.
ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for profit margins and staffing levels increased in September, while the reading for sales moved slightly lower. All three readings remain above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations of growth over the next six months.
“The construction confidence and backlog metrics appear strong despite the U.S. economy facing headwinds like inflation, financial market volatility and rapidly rising borrowing costs,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Contractors remain decidedly upbeat, with backlog expanding and expectations for rising sales, employment and profit margins over the next six months.
“One would think the recent surge in interest rates would be enough to dampen contractor confidence,” said Basu. “Instead, project owners continue to move forward with a significant number of projects. Faced with high demand for their services, contractors continue to show pricing power, helping to offset rising compensation and other construction delivery costs.”
Note: The reference months for the Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index data series were revised on May 12, 2020, 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 | Jun 12, 2018
Yardi Matrix report details industrial sector's strength
E-commerce and biopharmaceutical companies seeking space stoke record performances across key indicators.
Market Data | Jun 8, 2018
Dodge Momentum Index inches up in May
May’s gain was the result of a 4.7% increase by the commercial component of the Momentum Index.
Market Data | Jun 4, 2018
Nonresidential construction remains unchanged in April
Private sector spending increased 0.8% on a monthly basis and is up 5.3% from a year ago.
Market Data | May 30, 2018
Construction employment increases in 256 metro areas between April 2017 & 2018
Dallas-Plano-Irving and Midland, Texas experience largest year-over-year gains; St. Louis, Mo.-Ill. and Bloomington, Ill. have biggest annual declines in construction employment amid continuing demand.
Market Data | May 29, 2018
America’s fastest-growing cities: San Antonio, Phoenix lead population growth
San Antonio added 24,208 people between July 2016 and July 2017, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
Market Data | May 25, 2018
Construction group uses mobile technology to make highway work zones safer
Mobile advertising campaign urges drivers who routinely pass through certain work zones to slow down and be alert as new data shows motorists are more likely to be injured than construction workers.
Market Data | May 23, 2018
Architecture firm billings strengthen in April
Firms report solid growth for seven straight months.
Market Data | May 22, 2018
Vacancies stable, rents rising, and pipeline receding, according to Transwestern’s 1Q US Office Market report
The Big Apple still leads the new construction charge.
Market Data | May 18, 2018
Construction employment rises in 38 states and D.C. from April 2017 to April 2018
California & West Virginia have biggest annual job gains, North Dakota has largest decline; California & Louisiana have largest monthly pickup, Indiana & North Dakota lead monthly drops.
High-rise Construction | May 18, 2018
The 100 tallest buildings ever conventionally demolished
The list comes from a recent CTBUH study.
