Nonresidential construction spending bounced back in October, expanding 1 percent on a monthly basis and 4.3 percent year over year, according to a Dec. 2 release from the U.S. Census Bureau. Spending for the month totaled $611.8 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis. Additionally, the government revised the September spending figure up to $605.8 billion from $596.1 billion.
"This month's increase in nonresidential construction spending is far more consistent with the anecdotal information floating around the industry, which generally indicates that firms are becoming busier and that backlog is expanding," said Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Chief Economist Anirban Basu. "Although last month's numbers for nonresidential construction spending and employment were disappointing and could have implied the nation's nonresidential construction recovery is stalling, that is not the case.
"The outlook for 2015 remains upbeat," said Basu. "The economy has gained momentum over the past six to seven months and that is consistent with more aggressive construction starts and spending during the year to come. Even as the economy has gained momentum, the Federal Reserve has remained extraordinarily accommodative due in part to benign inflation readings. Low interest rates combined with solid economic momentum likely mean expansion for the nonresidential construction industry during the year ahead."
Eleven of the 16 nonresidential construction subsectors posted monthly increases in spending. Here's a recap:
• Office-related construction spending grew by 2 percent in October and is up 16.3 percent from the same time one year ago.
• Lodging construction spending is up 3.3 percent on a monthly basis and is up 15.9 percent on a year-over-year basis.
• Conservation and development-related construction spending grew 4.6 percent for the month and is up 33.1 percent on a yearly basis.
• Spending in the water supply category expanded 0.9 percent on a monthly basis, but is down 1.8 percent on a year-over-year basis.
• Amusement and recreation-related construction spending expanded 2.2 percent in October and is up 1.4 percent from the same time last year.
• Manufacturing-related spending expanded 3.4 percent on a monthly basis and is up 22.2 percent on an annual basis.
• Healthcare-related construction spending expanded 0.6 percent for the month but is down 8.4 percent from the same time last year.
• Education-related construction spending expanded 1.8 percent for the month and is up 3.6 percent on a year-over-year basis.
• Construction spending in the transportation category expanded 2.7 percent on a monthly basis and has expanded 1.6 percent on an annual basis.
• Highway and street-related construction spending expanded 1.2 percent in October and is up 0.1 percent compared to the same time last year.
• Public safety-related construction spending expanded 11.6 percent on a monthly basis but is down 1.2 percent on a year-over-year basis.
Monthly spending in five nonresidential construction subsectors declined in October. They are:
• Commercial construction spending fell 2.2 percent for the month but has grown 9.1 percent on a year-over-year basis.
• Communication construction spending declined 1.9 percent for the month and is down 9.4 percent for the year.
• Religious construction spending fell 3.7 percent for the month and is down 4.6 percent from the same time last year.
• Sewage and waste disposal-related construction spending declined 0.4 percent for the month and is down 0.2 percent on a 12-month basis.
• Power construction spending fell 1 percent for the month but is 0.7 percent higher than at the same time one year ago.
To view the previous spending report, click here.
Related Stories
| Apr 5, 2012
5 tips for a successful door and window retrofit
An exclusive tip sheet to help the Building Team manage door and window retrofits successfully.
| Apr 4, 2012
Educational facilities see long-term benefits of fiber cement cladding
Illumination panels made for a trouble-free, quick installation at a cost-effective price.
| Apr 4, 2012
HDS designs Mount Auburn Hospital’s new healthcare center in Waltham, Mass.
HDS Architecture provided design services for all the Mount Auburn Healthcare suites including coordination of HVAC and FP engineering.
| Apr 4, 2012
Bald joins the Harmon glazing team
Bald has 13 years of experience in the glazing industry, coming to Harmon from Trainor where he was the regional manager of the Mid-Atlantic region.
| Apr 4, 2012
JCJ Architecture designs New York City's first casino
Aqueduct Racetrack complex transformed into modern entertainment destination.
| Apr 4, 2012
San Antonio animal hospital earns LEED Platinum certification
Middleman Construction Company builds the city?s first commercial building to earn certification.
| Apr 4, 2012
Hason joins RNL’s as MENA regional director
Hason specializes in planning and urban design, hospitality, office, corporate headquarters and transportation structures, as well as, higher education and museum facilities.
| Apr 3, 2012
Product Solutions
Two new PV systems; a lighter shelf; and fire alarm/emergency communication system.
| Apr 3, 2012
Blaine Brownell on innovative materials applications in architecture
Brownell, who was named a BD+C 40 Under 40 in 2006, provides insight regarding emerging material trends and the creative implementation of materials.