Construction spending increased 0.1 percent from June to July and 5.2 percent for seven months of 2018 combined, with year-to-date growth for most major public and private categories, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Association officials urge administration officials to reconsider imposing tariffs on key trading partners, noting that the threat of sweeping new taxes on imported materials is hurting many construction employers.
The Dodge Momentum Index increased 0.5 percent in February to 146.9 (2000=100) from the revised January reading of 146.2. The Momentum Index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year.
Overall construction spending increased between September 2016 and September 2017 as growing private-sector residential demand continues to offset annual declines in public-sector investments in infrastructure and other projects, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials urged members of Congress and the Trump administration to include new funding for roads, bridges, clean water and other important infrastructure as part of any new tax reform measure.
Construction spending in June slipped 1.3% from the previous month’s level, to an estimated $1.206-trillion annual rate but the total rose 1.6% year over year, the Commerce Dept. has reported.
Construction spending is at record levels for the second straight month in March and is up 4.9 percent for the first three months of year compared to the same period in 2016.
Construction spending slipped from December to January but increased modestly from a year ago, as private construction grew solidly but public infrastructure outlays tumbled, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America.
After a strong 2015, there is a growing sense that the construction industry expansion will be more tempered over the next eighteen months. However, continued strong demand for hotels, office space, and amusement and recreation spaces will ensure continued growth in the overall construction spending market over this time period.
AD, the $32 billion contractor and industrial products wholesale buying/marketing group, reported sales for all members, across all seven divisions and three countries grew by 9 percent in 2016 Q1 YTD to a record $8.7 billion.
Construction spending slipped in November from a month earlier but maintained a strong rate of year-over-year growth in all major categories, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America.