Economy

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    Opinion // Business Matters

    How to maintain a steady backlog

    Measuring future work is one way to help it grow, according to consultant Matt Verderamo.

    By Matt Verderamo • Sept. 5, 2024
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    Mario Tama/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Construction spending dips again as contractors await Fed relief

    Fluctuations in recent months stem from a worsening shortage of qualified workers, according to AGC’s chief economist.

    By • Sept. 3, 2024
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    unkas_photo via Getty Images
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    Apartment starts increase monthly, but fall YOY

    Meanwhile, multifamily completions jumped 50% from last July and the number of units under construction dropped.

    By Leslie Shaver • Aug. 27, 2024
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    Courtesy of Novo Nordisk
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    Economic Reports

    The 9 largest commercial construction starts of July 2024

    Total groundbreakings for the month jumped 10% ahead of the Fed’s likely rate cut, according to Dodge Construction Network.

    By • Aug. 26, 2024
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    Courtesy of Extell
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    Lendlease reports $1B loss as it sells off US work

    The Australian company is moving away from international projects with a plan to deploy funds from divesting into successful sectors at home.

    By • Aug. 20, 2024
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    Permission granted by Balfour Beatty
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    ‘Momentum’ the word of the day for Balfour Beatty

    The London-based builder reversed its decline in pre-tax profit and signaled that it is eyeing big opportunities in U.K. and U.S. markets.

    By • Aug. 16, 2024
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    Scott Olson/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Rising energy costs drive up construction inputs

    Following two consecutive months of relief, price hikes in petroleum and natural gas pushed costs higher for the first time since April.

    By • Aug. 15, 2024
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    Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Construction backlog stagnates, squeezing smaller contractors

    Only the country’s largest contractors have a longer backlog than they did last year, according to Associated Builders and Contractors.

    By • Aug. 13, 2024
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    Courtesy of UCSF
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    Economic Reports

    Owners push more projects into planning

    Driven by expectations of an imminent interest rate cut, momentum is building across many major sectors, according to Dodge Construction Network.

    By • Aug. 9, 2024
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Election uncertainty doesn’t faze AECOM

    Although new administrations can bring new priorities, long-term building trends around infrastructure and environmental work remain unchanged, said CEO Troy Rudd.

    By • Aug. 8, 2024
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    Bill Pugliano via Getty Images
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    Manufacturing enters ‘deeper slowdown period’ ahead of election: July PMI

    Companies are hesitant to invest in new orders amid high interest rates and political uncertainty, dragging down the industry. 

    By Kate Magill • Aug. 2, 2024
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    Nathan Howard/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    High interest rates, tight credit conditions stall projects

    Spending on nonresidential construction appears to have hit a period of stagnation, according to ABC’s chief economist.

    By • Aug. 1, 2024
  • Jerome Powell speaking at The Economic Club in DC on July 15, 2024
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    Nathan Howward via Getty Images
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    Fed holds rates steady; points to ‘totality’ of data needed for potential September cut

    The central bank continued to maintain rates at their 23-year high, but cracked open the door for a potential cut in September.

    By Grace Noto • Aug. 1, 2024
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    Permission granted by Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
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    Q&A

    DPR lead sees growing demand for US life sciences projects

    The firm is deploying tech earlier in the design process to influence sequencing and how the facilities are built, before extending it to the jobsite to track and manage progress.

    By • July 30, 2024
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    Courtesy of Equinor
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    Class A offices ‘the winner in this market’: Skanska CEO

    U.S. infrastructure work accounted for a large portion of the Swedish firm’s profits in Q2.

    By • Updated July 23, 2024
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    Courtesy of Vinfast.

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    VinFast pushes back North Carolina factory timeline

    The EV startup says production is now expected to begin in 2028.

    By Haley Cawthon • July 17, 2024
  • Lumber Prices Rise As Housing Start Tick Up In May
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    Scott Olson/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Construction input prices dip for second straight month

    The cost of materials tumbled in June, likely due to lower project starts in a number of segments, according to Associated Builders and Contractors.

    By • July 15, 2024
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    Courtesy of Meta
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    Economic Reports

    Top 2 largest projects to enter planning involve data center construction

    The Dodge Momentum Index, focused on nonresidential construction planning, is up 43% from June 2019 levels, signaling strong spending for next year.

    By • July 12, 2024
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    Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Easing inflation, potential rate cuts boost backlog

    Builders have fared well so far this year despite high interest rates, rising prices and emerging weakness in the broader economy, according to ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.

    By • July 10, 2024
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    John Moore via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Public construction spending roars, private markets whimper

    Outlays for commercial builds faltered in May as those for civil projects rose again, propelling the overall nonresidential sector to a 6.2% gain for the year. 

    By • July 2, 2024
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    Courtesy of Entegris
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    Entegris to get $75M in CHIPS funding for Colorado plant

    The funds will support the semiconductor supplier's construction of a $600 million, 100,000-square-foot manufacturing center in Colorado Springs.

    By Joelle Anselmo • June 28, 2024
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    Jens Schlueter via Getty Images
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    Trump could roll back Inflation Reduction Act tax credits if reelected

    Volkswagen and Samsung SDI leaders expressed concerns at a conference last week about the stability of the IRA should the administration change.

    By Kate Magill • June 18, 2024
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    Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Construction input prices drop for first time in 2024

    Lower material costs also signal the potential for reduced interest rates due to slowing inflation, said Associated Builders and Contractors’ chief economist.

    By • June 13, 2024
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    Mario Tama/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Backlog shrinks after 2 months of gains

    While manufacturing and infrastructure spending keeps contractors busy, material price escalation has reemerged in recent months, said ABC’s chief economist.

    By • June 12, 2024
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    Courtesy of Hard Rock International
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    Economic Reports

    Data centers, retail lead construction planning

    While certain construction sectors saw growth, the value of newly signed design contracts dipped slightly as owners remain hesitant to commit to new work, the American Institute of Architects said. 

    By • June 10, 2024