flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Contractor optimism improves as ABC’s Construction Backlog inches up in December

Market Data

Contractor optimism improves as ABC’s Construction Backlog inches up in December

ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales, profit margins, and staffing levels increased in December.


By AGC | January 13, 2021

Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator rebounded modestly to 7.3 months in December, an increase of 0.1 months from November’s reading, according to an ABC member survey conducted from Dec. 18 to Jan. 5. Backlog is 1.5 months lower than in December 2019.

 

 

 

ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales, profit margins, and staffing levels increased in December. The sales index climbed above the threshold of 50, indicating contractors expect to grow sales over the next six months. The index reading for profit margins remained below that threshold. The staffing level index increased to 56.3 but remains well below its December 2019 reading.

 

 

“While many contractors enter 2021 with significant trepidation, the most recent backlog and confidence readings suggest that the onset of vaccinations has generally led to more upbeat assessments regarding nonresidential construction’s future,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Backlog is down substantially from its year-ago level and profit margins remain under pressure, yet many contractors expect to enjoy higher sales and to support more staff six months from now.

“The baseline expectation is that by the spring, the U.S. economy will blossom,” said Basu. “With many households sitting on mounds of savings and sustaining pent-up demand for many goods and services, the U.S. economy is set for rapid growth as it reopens more fully during mid to late 2021. While it will take time for that to fully translate into new construction projects, some that were postponed earlier during the pandemic are likely to come back to life over the next several months. That should help many contractors begin to rebuild backlog, and to eagerly await 2022.”

 

 

Note: The reference months for the Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index data series were revised on May 12 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 | Jan 31, 2022

Canada's hotel construction pipeline ends 2021 with 262 projects and 35,325 rooms

At the close of 2021, projects under construction stand at 62 projects/8,100 rooms.

Market Data | Jan 27, 2022

Record high counts for franchise companies in the early planning stage at the end of Q4'21

Through year-end 2021, Marriott, Hilton, and IHG branded hotels represented 585 new hotel openings with 73,415 rooms.

Market Data | Jan 27, 2022

Dallas leads as the top market by project count in the U.S. hotel construction pipeline at year-end 2021

The market with the greatest number of projects already in the ground, at the end of the fourth quarter, is New York with 90 projects/14,513 rooms.

Market Data | Jan 26, 2022

2022 construction forecast: Healthcare, retail, industrial sectors to lead ‘healthy rebound’ for nonresidential construction

A panel of construction industry economists forecasts 5.4 percent growth for the nonresidential building sector in 2022, and a 6.1 percent bump in 2023.

Market Data | Jan 24, 2022

U.S. hotel construction pipeline stands at 4,814 projects/581,953 rooms at year-end 2021

Projects scheduled to start construction in the next 12 months stand at 1,821 projects/210,890 rooms at the end of the fourth quarter.

Market Data | Jan 19, 2022

Architecture firms end 2021 on a strong note

December’s Architectural Billings Index (ABI) score of 52.0 was an increase from 51.0 in November.

Market Data | Jan 13, 2022

Materials prices soar 20% in 2021 despite moderating in December

Most contractors in association survey list costs as top concern in 2022.

Market Data | Jan 12, 2022

Construction firms forsee growing demand for most types of projects

Seventy-four percent of firms plan to hire in 2022 despite supply-chain and labor challenges.

Market Data | Jan 7, 2022

Construction adds 22,000 jobs in December

Jobless rate falls to 5% as ongoing nonresidential recovery offsets rare dip in residential total.

Market Data | Jan 6, 2022

Inflation tempers optimism about construction in North America

Rider Levett Bucknall’s latest report cites labor shortages and supply chain snags among causes for cost increases.  

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