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

Article written by John Schoen, CNBC, February 22, 2017

It remains to be seen just how far the Trump administration will go in deporting undocumented U.S. workers.

But some industries and employers will feel the impact much harder — and sooner — than others.

The administration released official guidelines Tuesday that make almost all undocumented immigrants subject to deportation. The new directives create an uncertain future for an estimated 11 million undocumented U.S. workers — and their people and companies that employ them.

The share of undocumented workers had already begun falling well before the Trump administration came into office. Thanks to a strong labor market in Mexico, more people have been moving from the U.S. to Mexico than from Mexico to the U.S. for years, despite Trump's insistence that immigrants are "flooding over the border" into the country.

Article written by Kim Slowey on Construction Dive, February 24, 2017

Article from MarketWatch

Residential construction was 3.6% higher in December than a year ago.

Construction spending fell 0.2% in December, a slight decline after a solid year of growth, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday.

Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had forecast a 0.2% increase during the month.

Outlays on construction for all of 2016 totalled $1.16 trillion, 4.5% higher than in 2015.

Private construction spending was 0.2% higher in December, while public outlays fell 1.7%.

Residential spending for construction rose 0.5% for the month, and stood 5.2% higher for all of 2016 compared to last year.

The homebuilder ETF from SPDR XHB, +0.00% ticked up slightly after the data release.

Analysts expect stronger construction spending ahead.

Architectural billings, which are a leading indicator, have surged, noted Ian Shepherdson, chief economist for Pantheon Macroeconomics. Ed Zarenski, a construction economist and long-time project cost estimator, expects a solid 2017.

Article written by Kim Slowey on Construction Dive

It's been less than two weeks since President Donald Trump's inauguration, but he has fulfilled his campaign promises of shaking up the political world. The ink is not yet dry on several of his executive orders and other memoranda that have turned immigration, national security and infrastructure into coast-to-coast topics of conversation and fiery debate.

The construction industry-related directives that have elicited the strongest reaction from the general public are those giving a push to U.S.-Mexico border wall construction as well as two controversial pipeline projects — the Dakota Access and the Keystone XL.

From Construction Dive

It’s the start of a new year, which means now is the perfect time for contractors and construction professionals to step back, reassess their daily work lives and make necessary adjustments. From management style to charity work, it’s all about making 2017 a successful year. Here are five New Year's resolutions for construction pros this year.

Advocate for career training

The construction industry has been wrestling with the impact of skilled labor shortages ever since workers were forced to seek other jobs during the recession. Looking ahead, the aging-out of many workers is on the way, and there aren't enough young people coming into the industry to fill the ranks.

That's where career technical training has so much to offer. These programs provide a career option for adults or for high school students who are not college bound. However, it can be difficult for some institutions to lure people in, and industry pros can make a big difference.

Article from cnbc.com

U.S. construction spending rose more than expected in November, reaching its highest level in 10-1/2 years, which could provide a lift to fourth-quarter economic growth.

The Commerce Department said on Tuesday that construction spending increased 0.9 percent to $1.18 trillion, the highest level since April 2006. It was boosted by gains in both private and public sector investment.

Construction spending in October was revised up to show a 0.6 percent rise instead of the previously reported 0.5 percent increase. Construction spending was up 4.1 percent from a year ago in November.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast construction spending rising 0.6 percent in November. November's better-than-expected increase and October's upward revision to construction spending could prompt economists to raise their gross domestic product estimates for the fourth quarter.