Nonresidential spending thrives in strong November spending report

Nonresidential construction surged in November, according to analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data released by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Nonresidential spending expanded to $712.4 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized rate in November, representing the highest level of spending in eight years.

October’s figure was upwardly revised by 1 percent (from $699.7 billion to $706.5 billion), while September’s figure was upwardly revised by 0.8 percent (from $701.7 billion to $707.2 billion).  A bit more than half of the 16 subsectors experienced spending increases in November.

“Nonresidential construction spending is up approximately 5 percent on a year-over-year basis, and momentum should build further,” says ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu in a press release. ““If the last few weeks are any indication, the 2017 economy will be associated with tax cuts, more government spending, less financial regulation, faster economic growth, a stronger U.S. dollar, robust stock market performance and greater overall CEO confidence. That should translate into improved construction spending moving forward.”

A stronger U.S. dollar, larger budget deficits, and rising interest rates could shrink U.S. exports and serve to suppress U.S. economic dynamism, but the current nonresidential construction outlook is promising, according to Basu.