flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator rebounds in August

Market Data

ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator rebounds in August

The primary issue for most contractors is not a lack of demand, but an ongoing and worsening shortage of skilled workers available to meet contractual requirements.


By ABC | October 23, 2019

Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator climbed to nine months in August 2019, up 0.5 months or 5.4% from July 2019, when CBI stood at 8.5 months.

“Despite some other leading indicators suggesting weakening in nonresidential construction spending, our most recent backlog readings show that contractors are still experiencing significant demand for construction services” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “The primary issue for most contractors is not a lack of demand, but an ongoing and worsening shortage of skilled workers available to meet contractual requirements. 

“Though this month’s report was generally positive, softening activity in the nation’s manufacturing sector is becoming more apparent in construction data,” said Basu. “Specifically, backlog in the heavy industrial category slipped to 7.7 months in August, a decline of 12%. A number of key manufacturing indicators have been weakening of late, including capacity utilization and the Institute for Supply Management’s index for manufacturing. It appears that the slowdown in factory activity is now being reflected in construction spending data.

“By contrast, backlog for those involved in heavy highway projects or other forms of infrastructure reached 10.4 months, an increase of nearly 13%,” said Basu. “The implication is that state and local governments are leveraging stronger fiscal positions and lower borrowing costs to move forward with more infrastructure projects. Not only is this a source of strength for the U.S. economy, it is helping to support overall nonresidential construction spending. Growing contractual volume in the infrastructure category helped to push backlog among Middle States contractors up to 8.8 months, a 1.8-month gain. Overall, backlog continues to be lengthiest in the South and West.” 

 

 

Related Stories

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.

Market Data | Mar 6, 2019

Global hotel construction pipeline hits record high at 2018 year-end

There are a record-high 6,352 hotel projects and 1.17 million rooms currently under construction worldwide.

Market Data | Feb 28, 2019

U.S. economic growth softens in final quarter of 2018

Year-over-year GDP growth was 3.1%, while average growth for 2018 was 2.9%.

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