Nonresidential construction spending fell 2% in June, to $697 billion on a seasonally adjusted basis according to US Census Bureau data released this week. This is the lowest level since January 2016, when spending was reported at $690 billion, and the first time since then that it has fallen below $700 billion.

According to Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), "June’s weak construction spending report can be largely attributed to the public sector. Public nonresidential construction spending fell 5.4% for the month and 9.5% for the year, and all twelve public subsectors decreased for the month. Private nonresidential spending remained largely unchanged, increasing by 0.1% for the month and 1.1% for the year. April and May nonresidential spending figures were revised downward by 1.1% and 0.4%, respectively."

According to the data released on Friday, July 7, 2017 by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry added 16,000 net new jobs (seasonally adjusted).

Press Release from Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc (ABC)

Full release

U.S. Labor Market Resurgent in June; Construction Adds 16,000 Jobs

Washington, July 10--National construction employment added 16,000 net new jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis in June, according to an analysis of today’s release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Overall construction employment expanded 3.1 percent on a year-over-year basis, easily outpacing the year-over-year growth rate of 1.6 percent for all nonfarm industries.

Press Release from Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.

WASHINGTON, July 3 - Nonresidential construction spending expanded by 0.3 percent on both a monthly and yearly basis in May and stands at $714.3 billion on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, according to analysis of a report from the U.S. Census Bureau released today by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

Private nonresidential construction spending fell to $433.6 billion in May, a decline of 0.7 percent. Private nonresidential construction is now at its 2017 nadir, though it is 0.8 percent higher than one year ago. Contrary to the prevailing trend, public nonresidential construction spending rose 1.9 percent in May on a monthly basis but remains 0.5 percent lower than in May 2016.

Press Release from Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 1—Nonresidential construction spending fell 1.7 percent in April 2017, totaling $696.3 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis, according to analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data released today by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

In April, private nonresidential construction spending fell 0.6 percent for the month, but has increased 4.3 percent on a year-ago basis. Public nonresidential spending decreased by 3.4 percent and is down 4.2 percent year-over-year. Declines in nonresidential construction spending for the month were largely attributable to drops in spending in the highway and street and power segments, down $3.5 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively.

According to the data released on Friday, June 2, 2017 by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry added 11,000 net new jobs (seasonally adjusted). This is the highest construction employment level since since October 2008, but two major industry associations issued statements expressing concern.

Press Release from Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc (ABC)

Full release

Jobs Report Offers Reasons for Hope and Concern for Construction Industry

WASHINGTON, D.C. June 2—National construction employment added 11,000 net new jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis in May according to analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

Article written by Kim Slowey, ConstructionDive, April 25, 2017

In the latest of a series of executive orders signed since his inauguration, President Donald Trump has again chosen that method as a way to affect policy in the U.S. Unlike some other executive orders that aim to streamline project schedules and cut red tape, however, the "Buy American and Hire American" measure could put more restrictions on the construction industry.

Inside the executive order

The executive order doesn’t change anything just yet. Through the order, Trump calls on all of his administration’s agency heads to:

Original Article on Reuters.com, May 1, 2017

WASHINGTON - U.S. construction spending unexpectedly fell in March from a record high amid a pause in private construction investment after five straight months of increases.

The Commerce Department said on Monday construction spending slipped 0.2 percent. February's construction outlays were revised to show them surging 1.8 percent to a record $1.22 trillion instead of the previously reported 0.8 percent rise.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast construction spending increasing 0.4 percent in March. Construction spending advanced 3.6 percent from a year ago.

In March, private construction spending was unchanged after jumping 1.7 percent in February. Private construction outlays had increased for five consecutive months.

Investment in residential construction rose 1.2 percent.

Investment in homebuilding has now increased for six straight months. Spending on private nonresidential structures fell 1.3 percent in March after rising 0.8 percent in February.

Investment in residential and nonresidential structures such as oil and gas wells was one of the economy's few bright spots in the first quarter.

Article written by Kim Slowey, ConstructionDive, March 30, 2017

News Release from AGC of America, April 7, 2017

Association Cautions that Declines in Public Sector Construction Investments May Impact Future Sector Hiring, Urges Administration and Congress to Craft and Enact New Infrastructure Funding Package

Construction employment increased by 6,000 jobs in March as a February hiring surge prompted by mild winter weather in much of the country prompted firms to hire fewer people last month, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said declining public-sector investments in construction and infrastructure could impact future construction hiring unless the administration and Congress enact a new funding measure.

“Construction firms continued to add jobs over the past year at a higher rate than the overall economy,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “The small job gain in March most likely reflects ‘payback’ for unusually large hiring in February rather than a flattening of demand for projects. However, there has been a slowdown in public investment in highways and other infrastructure that could undermine construction hiring this year.”

The U.S. Census Bureau announced the following value put in place construction statistics for February 2017:

Original Article on Morningstar

WASHINGTON--Total spending on construction in the U.S. rose a seasonally adjusted 0.8% in February from January to reach the highest level since April 2006, the Commerce Department said Monday.

Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal had projected a 1.2% increase.

Private-sector construction outlays also rose 0.8% to reach the highest level in almost a decade. Public sector spending rose 0.6% in February. It was the first monthly increase since October for the category.

The Commerce Department report on construction spending can be found at http://www.census.gov/construction/c30/c30index.htm