flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Construction economists optimistic about 2014 growth

Construction economists optimistic about 2014 growth

ABC’s quarterly Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) will be released Aug. 19.


By Associated Builders and Contractors | August 5, 2014
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Chief Economist Anirban Basu, American Institute of Architects (AIA) Chief Economist Kermit Baker and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Chief Economist David Crowe provided a collaborative economic forecast combining their expert economic analysis on leading, present and lagging economic indicators.
 
"A combination of low interest rates; wealth effects stemming from a booming stock market and rising home prices; surging energy production; and expanding industrial output has helped position the U.S. economy for more rapid growth during the next several quarters," said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. "This will lead to more robust recovery in the U.S. nonresidential construction industry, which has also been aided by stable materials prices and improving commercial real estate fundamentals. ABC predicts 7 percent nominal nonresidential construction growth in 2014, despite ongoing challenges in the public construction segment."
 
"We continue to have an optimistic outlook for the commercial and industrial sectors for the rest of this year and into 2015," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. "However, until we see state and local governments ramp up spending for new education, health care and public safety structures there likely won’t be a widespread acceleration in spending for the entire industry."
 
"Economic pick-up in the second quarter was coupled with a return in housing construction," said David Crowe, chief economist for NAHB. "We expect continued modest growth in housing construction as employment rises and more household formations take place. However, continued tight supplies of labor and land will put upward pressure on new home prices."
 
In addition to this forecast, AIA released its latest Architecture Billings Index (ABI) July 23, NAHB released its latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) July 16 and ABC’s quarterly Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) will be released Aug. 19.

Related Stories

Contractors | May 3, 2016

ABC: Nonresidential construction spending slips in March

Spending is up 8.3% on a year-over-year basis. Half of the 16 nonresidential construction subsectors experienced monthly spending growth last month, while 12 are up on a year-ago basis.

Market Data | Apr 29, 2016

ABC: Quarterly GDP growth slowest in two years

Bureau of Economic Analysis data indicates that the U.S. output is barely growing and that nonresidential investment is down.

Contractors | Apr 29, 2016

OSHA issues advisory to protect workers from Zika virus

Construction industry workers considered at high risk.  

Government Buildings | Apr 22, 2016

Public-private partnership used to fund Long Beach Civic Center Project

Arup served as a lead advisor and oversaw financial, commercial, real estate, design, engineering, and cost consulting.

Contractors | Apr 21, 2016

Dewalt introduces rugged construction smartphone

The Android-powered device is waterproof, dustproof, weatherproof, and can withstand drops up to six feet.  

Building Tech | Apr 12, 2016

Should we be worried about a tech slowdown?

Is the U.S. in an innovative funk, or is this just the calm before the storm?

Green | Apr 4, 2016

AIA report analyzes 20 years of the best green projects

"Lessons from the Leading Edge" is a study of the 200 Committee on the Environment (COTE) Top Ten Award winning projects since 1997.

Market Data | Apr 4, 2016

ABC: Nonresidential spending slip in February no cause for alarm

Spending in the nonresidential sector totaled $690.3 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis in February. The figure is a step back but still significantly higher than one year ago.

Codes and Standards | Mar 25, 2016

OSHA finalizes new silica dust regulations

Construction industry has until June 2017 to comply.  

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021