Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator declined to 8.4 months in October from 9.0 months in September, according to an ABC member survey conducted from Oct. 19 to Nov. 2. The reading is down 0.4 months from October 2022.
Backlog now stands at its lowest level since the first quarter of 2022. Declines were concentrated among the smallest contractors, those with less than $30 million in annual revenues. All three other revenue categories experienced an increase in backlog in October.
ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales, staffing levels and profit margins fell in October. All three readings remain above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations for growth over the next six months.
“While larger contractors continue to disproportionately benefit from a bevy of megaprojects around the nation, many smaller contractors are feeling the sting of weaker economic fundamentals in struggling commercial real estate segments,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Smaller contractors are often the ones most dependent on developer-driven activity. With developers facing both higher borrowing costs and greater difficulty lining up project financing, backlog among some contractors is beginning to dissipate.
“This is precisely what ABC economists predicted,” said Basu. “The vast majority of contractors could boast healthy backlog, especially those working in the manufacturing/industrial, infrastructure, data center and health care segments. But those tied to the office, shopping center and multifamily markets are likely experiencing difficulty lining up work. This helps explain declines in the readings for ABC’s Construction Confidence Index in all three dimensions: sales, employment and margins. Each of these readings, however, remains above 50, suggesting that, while industry growth is softening, it has yet to enter contractionary territory.”
Related Stories
Market Data | Jul 16, 2019
ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator increases modestly in May
The Construction Backlog Indicator expanded to 8.9 months in May 2019.
K-12 Schools | Jul 15, 2019
Summer assignments: 2019 K-12 school construction costs
Using RSMeans data from Gordian, here are the most recent costs per square foot for K-12 school buildings in 10 cities across the U.S.
Market Data | Jul 12, 2019
Construction input prices plummet in June
This is the first time in nearly three years that input prices have fallen on a year-over-year basis.
Market Data | Jul 1, 2019
Nonresidential construction spending slips modestly in May
Among the 16 nonresidential construction spending categories tracked by the Census Bureau, five experienced increases in monthly spending.
Market Data | Jul 1, 2019
Almost 60% of the U.S. construction project pipeline value is concentrated in 10 major states
With a total of 1,302 projects worth $524.6 billion, California has both the largest number and value of projects in the U.S. construction project pipeline.
Market Data | Jun 21, 2019
Architecture billings remain flat
AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for May showed a small increase in design services at 50.2.
Market Data | Jun 19, 2019
Number of U.S. architects continues to rise
New data from NCARB reveals that the number of architects continues to increase.
Market Data | Jun 12, 2019
Construction input prices see slight increase in May
Among the 11 subcategories, six saw prices fall last month, with the largest decreases in natural gas.
Market Data | Jun 3, 2019
Nonresidential construction spending up 6.4% year over year in April
Among the 16 sectors tracked by the U.S. Census Bureau, nine experienced an increase in monthly spending, led by water supply and highway and street.
Market Data | Jun 3, 2019
4.1% annual growth in office asking rents above five-year compound annual growth rate
Market has experienced no change in office vacancy rates in three quarters.