Economy
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Cash flow problems continue to plague subcontractors: report
A survey of 800 construction pros found a majority of firms dip into profit margins to maintain working capital.
By Matthew Thibault • April 24, 2025 -
Roche, answering tariff threat, pledges $50B to US drug production
The big pharma joined several of its peers in committing to invest billions of dollars in new and expanded manufacturing facilities in the U.S.
By Jonathan Gardner • April 23, 2025 -
Economic Reports
The 9 largest commercial construction starts of March 2025
Activity ticked up during the month but still trails last year's pace through the first quarter, according to Dodge Construction Network.
By Sebastian Obando • April 22, 2025 -
Q&A
Healthcare construction bucks broader building slowdown
Flexible design, early planning and resiliency are driving steady momentum in the space, says Derek Gregg, vice president of operations at Robins & Morton.
By Sebastian Obando • April 17, 2025 -
Office demand remains resilient in Q1, despite economic uncertainty
Sublease availability and new construction deliveries continue to decline, creating the conditions for “cautious optimism” in the sector, Cushman & Wakefield says.
By Joe Burns • April 16, 2025 -
Opinion
The AI infrastructure race hits a political reality check
The AI-driven data center boom has created demand for land, electricity and water, a dynamic that has spawned growing opposition from communities, utility grid operators and regulators.
By Joe Brettell and Jeff Berkowitz • April 14, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Construction materials costs rise for third month on tariff pressures
Contractors are receiving price hike notices on several key inputs, complicating efforts to plan and budget new projects.
By Sebastian Obando • April 14, 2025 -
Amid tariff turmoil, Novartis commits to spending $23B on US manufacturing
Novartis expects the new capacity will allow it to produce all of its key medicines “end to end” in the U.S., as the Trump administration buffets global trade with tariffs.
By Jonathan Gardner • April 11, 2025 -
Tariff tensions threaten Canada’s construction market
In response to a trade war that experts say will hurt contractors in both countries, some Canadian jurisdictions have blocked U.S. firms from bidding on government contracts.
By Julie Strupp • April 11, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Construction planning falters
Uncertainty around impacts from tariffs likely weighed on development decisions, said Sarah Martin, associate director of forecasting at Dodge Construction Network.
By Sebastian Obando • April 10, 2025 -
Chicago asks city contractors to cut invoices by 3%
The request to firms that had already signed contracts, sent by the city’s chief procurement officer, could put significant strain on small builders.
By Matthew Thibault • April 10, 2025 -
Economic Reports
‘Unwelcome surge’ of project abandonments hits construction
Developers scrapped nearly twice as many private projects as public ones in March, according to the latest data from ConstructConnect.
By Sebastian Obando • April 9, 2025 -
Number of construction cranes in US cities dips 19%
Major markets counted fewer cranes in Q1, a sign of prolonged economic uncertainty.
By Zachary Phillips • April 8, 2025 -
Economic Reports
March 2025 economic roundup
Rising costs and tariff uncertainty clouded the nonresidential construction outlook last month.
By Sebastian Obando • April 8, 2025 -
Opinion
Tariffs will change the way projects are financed, delivered
Rising material costs from President Donald Trump’s trade war are altering how deals are structured and jobs are executed, writes a construction executive.
By Brian Gallagher • April 8, 2025 -
China readies 34% tariff on US imports starting April 10
The country's retaliation against President Donald Trump's trade policies builds upon previously announced duties.
By Max Garland • April 4, 2025 -
Sweeping new tariffs put future construction projects at risk
Despite exemptions for key building materials, import taxes announced Wednesday by President Donald Trump could lead to a slowdown in new work, experts say.
By Sebastian Obando • April 3, 2025 -
Hiring slows amid economic uncertainty
Job openings data indicate contractors are reluctant to dismiss workers, even as unfilled positions fell year over year.
By Zachary Phillips • April 2, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Public projects boost construction spending to $1.26T high
Civil outlays in February fueled a record month for expenditures, but interest rates and tariff concerns continue to slow private growth.
By Sebastian Obando • April 2, 2025 -
Trump’s tariffs: Tracking the status of international trade actions
The U.S. has rolled out a deluge of tariffs, sparking responses from trading partners. Here's where each tariff – threatened or realized – currently stands.
By Philip Neuffer , Edwin Lopez • March 31, 2025 -
Sponsored by RSM US LLP
Construction and real estate companies can prepare for tax changes under Trump
How construction and real estate firms can prepare for tax changes under a Trump-led government in 2025.
By Marlon Fortineaux, Real Estate Tax Leader; Gene Garcia, Senior Analyst; Mac Carroll, Senior Analyst • March 31, 2025 -
Economic Reports
The 9 largest commercial construction starts of February 2025
Groundbreakings held steady following a slow start to the year, with commercial activity offsetting slowdowns in multifamily and manufacturing, according to Dodge Construction Network.
By Sebastian Obando • March 27, 2025 -
Q&A
The construction materials most at risk for tariffs
Rebar, structural steel, piping and ductwork are all facing price volatility, according to Skanska USA Building executive Steve Stouthamer.
By Sebastian Obando • March 25, 2025 -
Fed holds main rate steady, forecasts higher inflation, slower growth
“Growth looks like it's maybe moderating a bit, consumer spending moderating a bit, but still at a solid pace,” Fed Chair Jerome Powell said during a press conference.
By Jim Tyson • March 20, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Construction planning posts smaller gains
Data centers kept momentum afloat in February, while institutional sectors lost steam, according to Dodge Construction Network.
By Sebastian Obando • March 17, 2025