ABC Releases U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Data for the Month of September
Press Release Summary:
Associated Builders and Contractor’s analysis on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows an increase in the prices for inputs to construction by 0.3 percent. According to the analysis the prices of nonresidential construction inputs rose by 0.4 percent when compared to the previous month. The prices of crude petroleum and natural gas are increased by 8.7 and 1.1 percent, respectively on a monthly basis.
Original Press Release:
Construction Material Prices Rebound in September, Says ABC
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10—Prices for inputs to construction rose 0.3 percent in September and are 7.4 percent higher than a year ago, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today. Overall prices for nonresidential construction inputs rose 0.4 percent, reversing last month’s downward trend. Among individual subcategories, softwood lumber prices are down 0.4 percent, yet are up 5.4 percent on a year-over-year basis. Crude petroleum and natural gas prices are both up on a monthly basis, 8.7 and 1.1 percent, respectively.
“Last month, government data indicated that construction materials prices declined in August,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “At that time, we viewed the one-month decline as an aberration. With the U.S. construction industry remaining active, as demonstrated by recent patterns in hiring, demand for materials domestically remains strong. Moreover, a combination of global economic growth and geopolitical intrigue has helped to push certain commodity prices higher, including crude oil, which is up 47 percent year-over-year, and natural gas.
“There is also the matter of trade tensions,” said Basu, “including those involving key construction materials like steel and softwood lumber. While new trade agreements have been signed with the likes of Mexico, South Korea and Canada, certain trade issues linger, including U.S. tariffs imposed on foreign steel and aluminum for reasons ostensibly related to national security. All of this is consistent with both elevated and rising construction materials prices.
“Today’s data are consistent with the view that the prior month’s data were anomalous,” said Basu. “Nonresidential contractors should continue to expect both rising material and human capital costs going forward. Understanding these dynamics is, of course, particularly salient to the daily lives of estimators, who arguably have today’s most difficult construction job.”
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Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 that represents more than 21,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 70 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit us at abc.org.
Contact:
Rachel O'Grady, ABC, (202) 905-2104, ogrady@abc.org
