Strong Economy, Weaker Dollar Help Construction Materials Prices Recover in January

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15–Overall construction input prices increased 1.1 percent in January, reversing a slight decline in December 2017, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today. Compared to this time last year, overall construction materials prices are up 4.9 percent. Nonresidential construction materials prices are up 4.7 percent year over year and up 1 percent on a monthly basis.  

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ABC Commends White House Infrastructure Plan's Regulatory Streamlining, Workforce Development Expansion Goals

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12—Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) President and CEO Michael D. Bellaman issued the following statement on President Donald Trump’s infrastructure proposal:

“ABC applauds the president for sending to Congress a plan to rebuild America’s infrastructure. It is now time for lawmakers to develop legislation and policy to efficiently modernize America’s infrastructure and drive economic growth and prosperity for all Americans.
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Demand for Construction Workers Remains Strong, ABC Says

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2—Today’s employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows growth in both public and private construction spending, according to an analysis by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Construction added 36,000 net new jobs in January, an impressive increase of 0.5 percent on a month-over-month basis. 
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Nonresidential Construction Maintains Momentum in December, ABC Says

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1—Nonresidential construction spending expanded 0.8 percent 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.  Read the rest of entry »

ABC Applauds Infrastructure, Economic Initiatives in State of the Union Speech

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31—Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) President and CEO Michael D. Bellaman issued the following remarks on President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech.

“Associated Builders and Contractors appreciates President Trump’s focus on creating a strong economy with limitless opportunities for all Americans. The president is right, America is a nation of builders, and ABC and its members are confident about the direction of the U.S. economy and the construction industry and stand ready to help rebuild America’s infrastructure.”
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December Construction Unemployment Rates Down Year Over Year in 46 States as Nation Posts Lowest December Rate on Record, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31—The not seasonally adjusted (NSA) national construction unemployment rate was 5.9 percent in December, down 1.5 percent from December 2016 and the lowest December rate on record, according to an analysis released today by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. Estimated construction unemployment rates were down in 46 states on a year-over-year basis, unchanged in one (Idaho) and up in three states (Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire).
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Construction Executive Magazine Celebrates 15th Anniversary With New Website and Digital Newsletter

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29—Construction Executive magazine, published by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year with the launch of its new and improved website, ConstructionExec.com, and a new
digital newsletter, CE This Week. Readers can now access a variety of articles posted daily that pertain to all facets of the construction industry: safety, insurance, technology, surety bonding, regulatory, craft training, leadership, fleet management, business development, economic trends and more.
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Year-end Data Show Economy Expanded in 2017, ABC Says; Fixed Investment Surged in Fourth Quarter

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 – The U.S. economy grew by 2.3 percent in 2017, while fixed investment increased at an annual rate of 7.9 percent, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of data released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The economy expanded at an annual rate of 2.6 percent during the fourth quarter of 2017 after expanding at a 3.2 percent rate during the third quarter. Nonresidential fixed investment performed similarly to overall fixed investment in the fourth quarter by increasing at a 6.8 percent rate. This represents the third time in the past four quarters that nonresidential fixed investment increased by at least 6.7 percent. 
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Construction Input Prices Inch Down in December, Up YOY Despite Low Inflation, ABC Says

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11—Overall construction input prices declined 0.1 percent in December, yet despite the lack of inflation for the month, prices are up 5 percent on a year-over-year basis, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of  Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today.  Nonresidential construction materials prices also declined 0.1 percent for the month and are up 4.8 percent from the same time one year ago. 
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Nonresidential Construction Employment Ends 2017 on a High Note, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5—The nonresidential construction sector added 11,800 net new jobs in December, representing nearly 10 percent of the nation’s jobs created during the month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The nation’s overall construction sector added 30,000 net new jobs in December, a 0.4 percent month-over-month increase.
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