Nonresidential construction spending inched 0.3 percent lower in July largely due to a significant upward revision to June’s spending figure, according to analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data released today by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Nonresidential spending totaled $701.4 billion on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis in July, the second highest month since November of 2008, right behind June, which was revised upward from $682 billion to $703.5 billion. Public nonresidential spending continued to falter, declining 3.2 percent for the month and 6.5 percent for the year.
Nonresidential construction spending has been suppressed over the last year or so with the primary factor being the lack of momentum in public spending. “This lack of public investment continues despite obvious deficiencies in water, road and other forms of infrastructure. The fact that all but two of the 12 public nonresidential public subsectors declined in July shows that the malaise is widespread,” says ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu in a press release.
The second biggest factor deals with tightening commercial real estate standards that may have been brought on by growing regulatory pressures. “There is growing concern that key commercial real estate segments are in the process of being overbuilt, particularly in America’s largest cities, which are most likely to attract significant levels of foreign investment,” Basu says.
All is not negative, however, as the housing sector has begun to improve at a meaningful rate and the country continues to add a substantial number of jobs. Additionally, interest rates remain low.
Related Stories
Market Data | Dec 3, 2020
Only 30% of metro areas add construction jobs in latest 12 months
Widespread project postponements and cancellations force layoffs.
Market Data | Dec 2, 2020
New Passive House standards offers prescriptive path that reduces costs
Eliminates requirement for a Passive House consultant and attendant modeling.
Market Data | Dec 2, 2020
Nonresidential construction spending remains flat in October
Residential construction expands as many commercial projects languish.
Market Data | Nov 30, 2020
New FEMA study projects implementing I-Codes could save $600 billion by 2060
International Code Council and FLASH celebrate the most comprehensive study conducted around hazard-resilient building codes to-date.
Market Data | Nov 23, 2020
Construction employment is down in three-fourths of states since February
This news comes even after 36 states added construction jobs in October.
Market Data | Nov 18, 2020
Architecture billings remained stalled in October
The pace of decline during October remained at about the same level as in September.
Market Data | Nov 17, 2020
Architects face data, culture gaps in fighting climate change
New study outlines how building product manufacturers can best support architects in climate action.
Market Data | Nov 10, 2020
Construction association ready to work with president-elect Biden to prepare significant new infrastructure and recovery measures
Incoming president and congress should focus on enacting measures to rebuild infrastructure and revive the economy.
Market Data | Nov 9, 2020
Construction sector adds 84,000 workers in October
A growing number of project cancellations risks undermining future industry job gains.
Market Data | Nov 4, 2020
Drop in nonresidential construction offsets most residential spending gains as growing number of contractors report cancelled projects
Association officials warn that demand for nonresidential construction will slide further without new federal relief measures.