economics
U.S. cement consumption to reach nearly 80 million tons
Growth in U.S. construction markets could be dampened by Congressional drama that erodes consumer confidence and hinders recovery, according to the latest forecast from the Portland Cement Association (PCA). "American consumers love drama. Moreover, Congress knows how to create it,… Keep Reading
ARTBA forecasts moderate 2014 growth for infrastructure
The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) is forecasting that the overall U.S. transportation infrastructure construction market will grow 5 percent from $129 billion this year to $135.8 billion in 2014. Alison Premo Black, ARTBA's chief economist, said the… Keep Reading
Reasons for optimism
At the Ohio Aggregates & Industrial Minerals Association meeting in Columbus this month, Jerry Wray, director of the Ohio Department of Transportation, was less than optimistic about the chances for a large, multi-year highway bill anytime soon. “We will standing… Keep Reading
A sure thing
A little year-end tax planning can lead to certain tax savings for aggregate producers. Year-end tax planning can be quite simple: merely accelerate tax-deductible expense payments before the end of the tax year to reduce taxable income. To be really… Keep Reading
Firm anticipates 7 percent increase in construction next year
Researchers at FMI, a management consulting and investment banking firm to the construction industry, are predicting construction-put-in-place (CPIP) growth rates to be slightly ahead of the gross domestic product in 2014. FMI is specifically predicting construction put in place to… Keep Reading
Martin Marietta’s quarterly revenues, earnings rise
Martin Marietta Materials Inc. reported double-digit increases in revenues and earnings for the third quarter. Ward Nye, Martin Marietta president and CEO, says the ongoing recovery in private-sector construction, drove the company's third-quarter growth. "I am especially proud of the… Keep Reading
Nonresidential building growth takes a sudden dip
The Dodge Momentum Index, a monthly measure of the first report for nonresidential building projects in planning, slipped 0.9 percent in October compared with the previous month, according to McGraw Hill Construction. October’s decline brought the momentum index to 115.3… Keep Reading
Ongoing recovery drives Vulcan’s third-quarter growth
Vulcan Materials Co.'s third-quarter net sales increased 13 percent versus the prior year's third quarter, the company announced upon releasing its results for the third quarter. In addition, the company's gross profit increased 25 percent from the prior year as… Keep Reading
Near double-digit growth forecast for construction
McGraw-Hill Construction predicts total U.S. construction starts for 2014 to rise 9 percent to $555.3 billion. McGraw-Hill Construction made the prediction as part of its 2014 Dodge Construction Outlook. The organization forecasted a 5 percent increase to $508 billion for… Keep Reading
