According to the U.S. Census Bureau, construction spending during April 2025 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,152.4 billion, 0.4% (±0.7%) below the revised March estimate of $2,162.0 billion. The April figure is 0.5% (±1.2%) below the April 2024 estimate of $2,163.2 billion. During the first four months of this year, construction spending amounted to $660.2 billion,…
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The Sullivan Report Paints a Grim Picture
May 30, 2025 – In his latest “The Sullivan Report” analysis, Construction Economist Ed Sullivan gives the good before he gives the bad. “Only weeks ago, harsh tariff talk had some expecting an economic downturn. Since then, a guarded sense of optimism has set in. The tariffs were reduced and postponed – at least for now. Jobs grew at a solid…
Read MoreHousing Starts Up in February
Limited existing inventory helped single-family starts to post a solid gain in February, but builders are still grappling with elevated construction costs stemming from tariff issues and persistent shortages related to buildable lots and labor. Overall housing starts increased 11.2% in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.50 million units, according to a report from the U.S. Department…
Read MoreIndustry Associations Warn of Dire Circumstances From Tariffs
The Essential Minerals Association (EMA) released the following statement encouraging the Trump administration to refrain from implementing tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico:
Read MoreS&P Global Assesses Economy, Impact of Trump Tariffs
Satyam Panday, chief U.S. and Canada Economist, S&P Global Ratings, said, “We look ahead to the first major inflation reading of 2025 this week. We estimate the headline consumer price index (CPI) rose 20 basis points (bps) in January, resulting in an unchanged year-over-year rate of 2.9%. Core CPI inflation likely ticked down to 3.1% on a year-over-year basis, the…
Read MoreTariff-wise PCA Frames Canada, Mexico Imports in Tonnage, Destination Terms
The Portland Cement Association (PCA) has weighed in on the national debate over international tariffs proposed by the Trump Administration.
Read MoreAEM Spotlights Damage Caused By Trump Tariffs
Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) President Dennis Slater issued the following statement on new data that shows American businesses paid a record $6.8 billion in July due to Trump Administration tariffs. Extra import tariffs have now cost U.S. taxpayers $30 billion.
Read MoreTrade War, Bad Weather Negatively Impacts Deere Dealers
In the wake of a record-wet spring in the Midwest and the ongoing U.S. trade war with China, dealers of Deere agriculture equipment are reporting a significant decline in sales, according to a recent Reuters article. This is a worrying sign for Deere as its Agriculture & Turf segment accounts for the bulk of its sales. In May, the company slashed its full-year profit and sales…
Read MoreAEM Warns of Dire Consequences from Mexican Tariffs
President Trump said he plans to move forward with imposing tariffs on Mexican imports as part of his effort to stem the flow of migrants crossing the southern border, telling reporters at a news conference with British Prime Minister Theresa May that Republican senators would be “foolish” if they try to stop him.
Read MoreConstruction Spending Flat in April
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated that construction spending during April 2019 was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,298.5 billion, nearly the same as (±1.3%) the revised March estimate of $1,299.2 billion.
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