Nonresidential construction spending expanded 0.8% in December, totaling $720.4 billion on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to Associated Builders and Contractors’ (ABC) analysis of data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. This represents the fifth consecutive month during which the pace of nonresidential spending has increased.
Nonresidential spending expanded 0.1% on a year-over-year basis and sits at its highest level since March. Private nonresidential construction spending increased 1.1% for the month, but is down 2.5% year over year, while public nonresidential spending increased 0.4% for the month and 4.4% for the year. Spending in the power and manufacturing categories, which are two of the largest nonresidential subsectors, contracted by a combined 10.3%, or $18.2 billion, since December 2016.
“While data releases are important for many reasons, including helping us to understand what happened in the past, their principal value lies in clarifying our shared understanding of the probable future,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Today’s data release, which essentially confirms the existence of the ongoing construction expansion cycle, is less useful than usual. The obvious reason is that the December data reflect a pre-existing pattern of construction spending. The future is likely to represent a departure from prior trends, in large measure because of the recently passed tax reform bill.
“Even before the United States enacted tax reform, global and domestic financial systems were flush with liquidity and capital,” said Basu. “The tax cut will further bolster liquidity and confidence, which will ultimately translate into more construction starts and spending. If long-awaited progress is made on infrastructure spending, the construction recovery will likely transition from solid to spectacular. Note that the transportation category has already expanded 12.9% on a year-over-year basis. During much of the past three years, spending growth generally has been concentrated in a number of key private construction segments, while public construction has tended to lag.
“Of course, industry insiders are scratching their collective heads regarding how to amass enough human capital to actually deliver construction services on time and on budget,” said Basu. “Frankly, that’s a mystery. The implication is that any infrastructure package must be accompanied by action that helps expand apprenticeship programs, steps up investment in two-year colleges, encourages high schools to offer career and technical education, and encourages more people to leap into the U.S. labor force.”
Related Stories
Market Data | May 4, 2020
The Los Angeles market continue to lead the U.S. hotel construction pipeline at the close of the first quarter of 2020
Nationally, under construction project counts hit a new all-time high with 1,819 projects with 243,100 rooms.
Market Data | May 1, 2020
Nonresidential construction spending declines in March as pandemic halts projects
Group warns loan threats are hurting relief program.
Market Data | May 1, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: May 1, 2020
DLR Group completes LA Memorial Coliseum renovation and over 50% of department stores in malls predicted to close by 2021.
Market Data | Apr 30, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 30, 2020
College programs help prepare students for careers in the construction industry and a national movement to cancel May rent takes shape.
Market Data | Apr 30, 2020
The U.S. Hotel Construction pipeline continued to expand year-over-year despite COVID-19 in the first quarter of 2020
Many open or temporarily closed hotels have already begun or are in the planning stages of renovating and repositioning their assets while occupancy is low or non-existent.
Market Data | Apr 29, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 29, 2020
A new Human performance Center and Construction employment declines in 99 metro areas.
Market Data | Apr 29, 2020
Construction employment declines in 99 metro areas in March from 2019
Industry officials call for new state and federal funding to add jobs.
Market Data | Apr 28, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 28, 2020
A virtual 'city-forest' to help solve population density challenges and planning for life in cities after the pandemic.
Market Data | Apr 27, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 27, 2020
Colleges begin building campus eSports arenas and PCL Construction rolls out portable coronavirus testing centers.
Market Data | Apr 24, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 24, 2020
Take a virtual tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House and Construction Contractor Confidence plummets.