economics
Are there limits to growth?
By David Chereb Of course there are limits. But too often the discussion about limits occurs after we’ve had a few years of slow growth. Then we start releasing opinions and research articles about why this is the new normal.… Keep Reading
Power plant pullback triggers October construction starts retreat
The value of new construction starts retreated 14 percent in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $434.9 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction. Much of the decline was due to a sharp pullback by the electric power and gas… Keep Reading
USGS says aggregates production increases in third quarter
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has released figures showing that an estimated 583 million metric tons (mmt) of total aggregates were produced in the U.S. in the third quarter this year. The figure represents an increase of 6.8 percent compared… Keep Reading
Nonresidential construction index rises slightly
FMI's Nonresidential Construction Index (NRCI) is up less than one point from last quarter to 55.5. FMI panelists attribute the uptick in nonresidential construction to optimism over the national and local economies. Still, FMI's panelists are hesitant about the economic… Keep Reading
Green building outlook strong despite soft economy
The U.S. green building market continues to accelerate, according to McGraw-Hill Construction's 2013 green construction outlook report. Green building has grown from $10 billion in 2005 to $78 billion in 2011. In 2012, the total market for non-residential and residential… Keep Reading
Near double-digit growth in works for construction put in place
FMI is forecasting an 8 percent increase in total construction put in place for 2013, attributing the forecast to more robust growth in residential construction and a few strong markets in nonresidential and non-building construction. According to FMI, private markets… Keep Reading
Nonresidential building slips for third straight month
The Dodge Momentum Index that measures nonresidential building projects dropped another 0.6 percent in October, according to McGraw-Hill Construction. The index retreated for the third consecutive month, this time to 93.3, after peaking at 96.0 in July. McGraw-Hill Construction attributes… Keep Reading
Construction industry adds jobs as unemployment rate falls
Construction employers added 17,000 jobs in October while the construction industry's unemployment rate fell to 11.4 percent, according to an analysis of new federal data released by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Association officials noted that total construction… Keep Reading
Report: Construction starts to increase further
McGraw-Hill Construction is predicting total U.S. construction starts for 2013 to rise 6 percent to $483.7 billion, a mark that's slightly higher than the 5 percent increase to $458 billion estimated for this year. McGraw-Hill Construction made the prediction in… Keep Reading
