flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

ABC’s construction backlog rises in May; contractor confidence falters

Market Data

ABC’s construction backlog rises in May; contractor confidence falters

Backlog in the infrastructure segment jumped from 8.7 months in April to 9.3 months in May, and the Northeast and South regions continue to outperform the Middle States and the West.


By ABC. | June 15, 2022
ABC Construction Backlog Indicator
Courtesy Pixabay.

Associated Builders and Contractors reports today that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to nine months in May from 8.8 months in April, according to an ABC member survey conducted May 17 to June 3. The reading is up one month from May 2021.

View ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index tables for May 2022.

Backlog in the infrastructure segment jumped from 8.7 months in April to 9.3 months in May, and the Northeast and South regions continue to outperform the Middle States and the West. Contractors with more than $100 million in annual revenues enjoyed the highest backlog, at 13.2 months.

ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales, profit margins and staffing levels declined in May. The indices for sales and staffing remain above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations of growth over the next six months, while the reading for profit margins was exactly 50 for the month.

“It is simply remarkable that contractors continue to add to backlog amidst global strife, rising materials prices and ubiquitous labor force challenges,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Backlog is up in every segment over the past year, including in the somewhat shaky commercial category. The largest increase in backlog has been registered in the industrial segment. More American companies are committing to place additional supply chain capacity in the United States, with Intel and Ford representing particularly recent and noteworthy examples.

“For contractors, the challenge will continue to be the cost of delivering construction services,” said Basu. “The risk of severe increases in costs and substantial delays in delivery remains elevated given the volatility in input prices, the propensity of the labor force to shift jobs in large numbers and equipment shortages and delays. This ABC survey indicates that the proportion of contractors who expect that profit margins will expand over the next six months is declining, a reflection of lingering, worsening supply chain challenges.”

ABC Construction Backlog Indicator & Construction Confidence Index
Courtesy ABC.

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 | Dec 19, 2018

Brokers look forward to a commercial real estate market that mirrors 2018’s solid results

Respondents to a recent Transwestern poll expect flat to modest growth for rents and investment in offices, MOBs, and industrial buildings.

Market Data | Dec 19, 2018

When it comes to economic clout, New York will far outpace other U.S. metros for decades to come

But San Jose, Calif., is expected to have the best annual growth rate through 2035, according to Oxford Economics’ latest Global Cities report.

Market Data | Dec 19, 2018

Run of positive billings continues at architecture firms

November marked the fourteenth consecutive month of increasing demand for architectural firm services.

Market Data | Dec 5, 2018

ABC predicts construction sector will remain strong in 2019

Job growth, high backlog and healthy infrastructure investment all spell good news for the industry.

Market Data | Dec 4, 2018

Nonresidential spending rises modestly in October

Thirteen out of 16 subsectors are associated with year-over-year increases.

Market Data | Nov 20, 2018

Construction employment rises from October 2017 to October 2018 in 44 states and D.C.

Texas has biggest annual job increase while New Jersey continues losses; Iowa, Florida and California have largest one-month gains as Mississippi and Louisiana trail.

Market Data | Nov 15, 2018

Architecture firm billings continue to slow, but remain positive in October

Southern region reports decline in billings for the first time since June 2012.

Market Data | Nov 14, 2018

A new Joint Center report finds aging Americans less prepared to afford housing

The study foresees a significant segment of seniors struggling to buy or rent on their own or with other people.

Market Data | Nov 12, 2018

Leading hotel markets in the U.S. construction pipeline

Projects already under construction and those scheduled to start construction in the next 12 months, combined, have a total of 3,782 projects/213,798 rooms and are at cyclical highs.

Market Data | Nov 6, 2018

Unflagging national office market enjoys economic tailwinds

Stable vacancy helped push asking rents 4% higher in third quarter.

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