Nonresidential construction spending fell for a second consecutive month in August, according to analysis of U.S. Census Bureau released today by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Nonresidential spending totaled $686.6 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis for the month, 1.1% lower than July’s total of $694.1 billion (revised down from $701 billion) and 1.3% below August 2015’s figure.
Private nonresidential construction spending fell just 0.4% for the month, while its public sector counterpart shrank 2%. Four of the five largest nonresidential subsectors—power, highway and street, commercial and manufacturing—combined to fall 2.2% on a monthly basis.
“While previous weak spending reports can almost completely be explained by diminished public construction spending, today’s report also revealed emerging weakness in private spending,” says ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.
However, spending has increased in some areas. Office-related construction increased 2% for the month and 24 percent on a year-over-year basis. Meanwhile, lodging-related construction spending increased 1.2% for the month and almost 16% year-over-year.
Other areas have underperformed. “Given the passage of a federal highway bill last year, one might have expected spending growth in the highway/street and transportation categories,” Basu says. “Those expectations have been unmet thus far. Transportation-related construction spending dipped by more than 6 percent in August and by more than 11 percent on a year-over-year basis. Highway and street spending is down by more than 8 percent on a year-ago basis, and was down nearly 3 percent for the month.”
Related Stories
Market Data | Jan 8, 2021
Construction sector adds 51,000 jobs in December
Gains are likely temporary as new industry survey finds widespread pessimism for 2021.
Market Data | Jan 7, 2021
Few construction firms will add workers in 2021 as industry struggles with declining demand, growing number of project delays and cancellations
New industry outlook finds most contractors expect demand for many categories of construction to decline.
Market Data | Jan 5, 2021
Barely one-third of metros add construction jobs in latest 12 months
Dwindling list of project starts forces contractors to lay off workers.
Market Data | Jan 4, 2021
Nonresidential construction spending shrinks further in November
Many commercial projects languish, even while homebuilding soars.
Market Data | Dec 29, 2020
Multifamily transactions drop sharply in 2020, according to special report from Yardi Matrix
Sales completions at end of Q3 were down over 41 percent from the same period a year ago.
Market Data | Dec 28, 2020
New coronavirus recovery measure will provide some needed relief for contractors coping with project cancellations, falling demand
Measure’s modest amount of funding for infrastructure projects and clarification that PPP loans may not be taxed will help offset some of the challenges facing the construction industry.
Market Data | Dec 28, 2020
Construction employment trails pre-pandemic levels in 35 states despite gains in industry jobs from October to November in 31 states
New York and Vermont record worst February-November losses, Virginia has largest pickup.
Market Data | Dec 16, 2020
Architecture billings lose ground in November
The pace of decline during November accelerated from October, posting an Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 46.3 from 47.5.
AEC Tech | Dec 8, 2020
COVID-19 affects the industry’s adoption of ConTech in different ways
A new JLL report assesses which tech options got a pandemic “boost.”
Market Data | Dec 7, 2020
Construction sector adds 27,000 jobs in November
Project cancellations, looming PPP tax bill will undercut future job gains.