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GroundBreak Carolinas

Your source for construction industry news in the Carolinas

Seamon Whiteside

Economics

NAIOP CRE Sentiment Index: Outlook Remains Positive Though Cost Pressures Persist

by NAOIP on

The latest NAIOP CRE Sentiment Index shows respondents continue to expect improvement across several key commercial real estate (CRE) indicators, but optimism has moderated as ongoing cost pressures and uncertainty weigh on development feasibility and near-term decision-making, according to the report.  Published by the NAIOP Research Foundation, the Index is designed to predict general conditions in the CRE industry over the next 12 months by surveying industry…

Oil Prices Contribute to March Surge in Construction Materials Prices

by ABC on

Construction input prices increased 2.2% in March compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices increased 2.3% for the month. Overall construction input prices are 4.8% higher than one year ago, while nonresidential construction…

Nonresidential Construction Spending Remains Stagnant in October

by Associated Builders and Contractors on

National nonresidential construction spending remained virtually unchanged on a monthly basis in October and was down 0.9% year over year, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.25 trillion. Spending was up on a monthly basis…

ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Inches Higher, Fueled By Data Center Momentum

by Associated Builders and Contractors on

Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.2 months in December, according to an ABC member survey conducted Dec. 22 to Jan. 7. The reading is up 0.1 months since November but down 0.1 months from December 2024. View the full Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index data series….

Reading the Signs: Why Economic Indicators Matter for Construction Executives

by Brian Gallagher, PPC Partners on

Construction leaders often pride themselves on instinct—the ability to “read the market” from conversations with clients, lenders, or subcontractors. But in today’s environment of volatility and complexity, instinct alone is not enough. To build resilient, forward-looking strategies, construction executives must treat economic indicators the way builders treat blueprints: as essential guides to navigating uncertainty. Why…

Construction Backlog Stable; Contractors Remain Optimistic, Fueled by Data Center Growth

by Associated Builders and Contractors on

Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator remained unchanged at 8.5 months in September, according to an ABC member survey conducted Sept. 22 to Oct. 6. The reading is down 0.1 months since September 2024. View the full Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index data series. Over the past year, backlog…

Eventually, it’s Going to All Work Out for America

by GroundBreak Carolinas Staff on

As 2025 unfolds, the construction industry is navigating a complex yet resilient economic landscape. At the recent ABC Carolinas Conference in Myrtle Beach, SC, ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu echoed this theme: “Eventually, it’s going to all work out for America.” His mid-year forecast, delivered via Construction Executive, reflects both urgency and optimism. Basu also…

Construction Materials Prices Tame in April Despite Rising Iron and Steel Costs

by Associated Builders and Contractors on

Construction input prices decreased 0.1% in April compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices increased 0.2% for the month. Overall construction input prices are 0.1% higher than a year ago, while nonresidential construction…

ABC: Nonresidential Construction Spending Dips 0.1% in November

by Associated Builders and Contractors on

National nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.1% in November, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau on Jan. 2. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.143 trillion.  Spending was down on a monthly basis in 11 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending…

The U.S. Economic Situation and Outlook for 2023

by Dr. Bruce Yandle, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Economics Emeritus, Clemson University on

As the U.S. economy enters 2022’s final quarter, the economic situation is bothtroublesome and puzzling. With interest rates rising, and GDP growth falling, it isdisturbing because the year’s weak GDP growth coupled with three negative forcesplaying through the economy, offer the strong possibility that 2023 will be an evenweaker negative growth year. Of course, we…