Associated Builders and Contractors reports today that its Construction Backlog Indicator remained unchanged at 9.2 months in December 2022, according to an ABC member survey conducted Dec. 20, 2022, to Jan. 5, 2023. The reading is one month higher than in December 2021. (View ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index tables for December 2022.)
Backlog remains at its highest level since the second quarter of 2019. This has been especially true in the South, which has been the case for many of the past several years.
ABC’s Construction Confidence Index reading for profit margins and sales increased in December, while the reading for staffing levels moved lower. All three readings remain above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations of growth over the next six months.
“Contractors enter the new year with plenty of optimism,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Backlog remains elevated, which means that, even if the economy were to enter recession this year, contractors would likely be insulated from significant harm. Rather than fixate on the possibility of a recession, many contractors remain focused on growth, with expectations for rising sales and staffing levels over the next half year. Even the reading on profit margins increased this month, perhaps reflecting an improved supply chain.
“While 2023 continues to be filled with promise, contractors may soon show more concern,” said Basu. “Anecdotal evidence suggests that financing commercial real estate projects is more difficult, due in part to recession predictions. The general increase in the cost of capital has also jeopardized many projects, with certain contractors noticing an increase in postponements.”
Related Stories
Market Data | Mar 16, 2020
Grumman/Butkus Associates publishes 2019 edition of Hospital Benchmarking Survey
Report examines electricity, fossil fuel, water/sewer, and carbon footprint.
Market Data | Mar 12, 2020
New study from FMI and Autodesk finds construction organizations with the highest levels of trust perform twice as well on crucial business metrics
Higher levels of trust within organizations and across project teams correlate with increased profit margins, employee retention and repeat business that can all add up to millions of dollars of profitability annually.
Market Data | Mar 11, 2020
The global hotel construction pipeline hits record high at 2019 year-end
Projects currently under construction stand at a record 991 projects with 224,354 rooms.
Market Data | Mar 6, 2020
Construction employment increases by 43,000 in February and 223,000 over 12 months
Average hourly earnings in construction top private sector average by 9.9% as construction firms continue to boost pay and benefits in effort to attract and retain qualified hourly craft workers.
Market Data | Mar 4, 2020
Nonresidential construction spending attains all-time high in January
Private nonresidential spending rose 0.8% on a monthly basis and is up 0.5% compared to the same time last year.
Market Data | Feb 21, 2020
Construction contractor confidence remains steady
70% of contractors expect their sales to increase over the first half of 2020.
Market Data | Feb 20, 2020
U.S. multifamily market gains despite seasonal lull
The economy’s steady growth buoys prospects for continued strong performance.
Market Data | Feb 19, 2020
Architecture billings continue growth into 2020
Demand for design services increases across all building sectors.
Market Data | Feb 5, 2020
Construction employment increases in 211 out of 358 metro areas from December 2018 to 2019
Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas and Kansas City have largest gains; New York City and Fairbanks, Alaska lag the most as labor shortages likely kept firms in many areas from adding even more workers.
Market Data | Feb 4, 2020
Construction spending dips in December as nonresidential losses offset housing pickup
Homebuilding strengthens but infrastructure and other nonresidential spending fades in recent months, reversing pattern in early 2019.
