Economy

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    Alihan Usullu via Getty Images
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    Balfour Beatty predicts growth in year-end update

    The London-based builder projects a bump in revenue and backlog even as it said it faced delays in a number of its U.S. projects in the second half of 2024.

    By • Dec. 6, 2024
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    Anna Moneymaker/Staff via Getty Images
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    Trump vows new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, China

    The countries are the top suppliers of imported goods to the U.S., and construction economists have concerns about the impact on material prices.

    By • Nov. 26, 2024
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    sandsun via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Construction Dive

    Construction Dive editors curate some of the industry’s top stories from this year.

    By Construction Dive staff
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    Anna Moneymaker/Staff via Getty Images
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    Public construction firms’ executives react to Trump win

    Noting the prospect of lower taxes and fewer permitting hurdles, construction company leaders were mainly optimistic in the wake of the presidential election.

    By • Nov. 25, 2024
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    Courtesy of Henry Ford Health
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    Economic Reports

    The 9 largest commercial construction starts of October 2024

    Total groundbreakings jumped 4% after a brief slowdown the prior month, according to Dodge Construction Network.

    By • Nov. 22, 2024
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    HABesen via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Tariff concerns loom over construction input prices

    Potential trade policy changes under the incoming Trump administration could raise costs for a wide range of materials, economists say.

    By • Nov. 14, 2024
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    Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Project abandonments, delays slow on interest rate cut

    Private sector activity appears to be responding to the Fed's recent actions faster than publicly funded jobs.

    By • Nov. 14, 2024
  • First Nail Ceremony Held For Construction Of 2025 Presidential Inauguration Platform
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    Andrew Harnik/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Rate cut boosts optimism despite construction backlog dip

    Builders feel upbeat about a pickup in activity over the next two quarters, according to Associated Builders and Contractors.

    By • Nov. 12, 2024
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    Permission granted by PCL
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    Q&A

    Infrastructure funds will continue to flow: PCL CEO

    Chris Gower said one of the firm’s top priorities is to adapt to changes coming from a second Trump term.

    By • Nov. 11, 2024
  • Federal Reserve Chair Powell Holds A News Conference Following The Federal Open Market Committee Meeting
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    Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Fed’s second rate cut this year raises hopes for commercial construction

    The central bank aims to foster a more supportive lending environment, an encouraging sign for building activity.

    By • Nov. 7, 2024
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    Permission granted by Skanska USA
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    Skanska bullish on US work amid upcoming White House changes

    The Swedish firm reported strong construction performance in the States and said it anticipates that to persist.

    By • Nov. 7, 2024
  • Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump Holds Election Night Event In West Palm Beach
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    Win McNamee/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Election 2024

    Trump win elicits optimism, concern among contractors

    Though construction employer groups mostly praised the outcome, labor associations are troubled about a second Trump term.

    By • Nov. 7, 2024
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    Courtesy of City of Cheyenne, Wyoming
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    October 2024 economic roundup

    Construction Dive tracks recent key industry data such as backlog, planning activity, input costs, starts, job openings and spending.

    By • Nov. 6, 2024
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    hapabapa via Getty Images
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    MasTec reports increased profits on flat revenues, higher backlog

    Delayed starts on large projects in the Florida firm’s Clean Business unit, which includes solar and wind installations, contributed to its overall sales plateau.

    By • Nov. 6, 2024
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    Mario Tama/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Infrastructure boosts nonresidential spending again as private sector slows

    Federal funding is buoying overall construction activity, but projects outside the public realm could soon rebound, economists said.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
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    Avalon_Studio via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Construction job openings fall post-Helene

    Economists say the hurricane temporarily suppressed the number of open construction positions across the Southeast at the end of September. 

    By • Oct. 30, 2024
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    Retrieved from Rhode Island DOT.
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    Economic Reports

    The 9 largest commercial construction starts of September 2024

    Total groundbreakings dipped 6% to kick off the fall, according to Dodge Construction Network.

    By • Oct. 22, 2024
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    Nathan Howard/Stringer via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Construction backlog rebounds in wake of rate cut

    After briefly falling at the end of the summer, the amount of work on builders’ books rose again following the Fed’s loosening last month.

    By • Oct. 17, 2024
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    Photo illustration: Industry Dive; Joe Readle/Getty Images; Brandon Bell/Getty Images

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    Election 2024

    Where the 2024 presidential candidates stand on construction’s top issues

    Here are Kamala Harris’ and Donald Trump’s views on the industry’s most pressing topics, including immigration, permitting, infrastructure and more.

    By Construction Dive Staff • Oct. 16, 2024
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Construction input prices tick down on lower energy costs

    The decline reflects overall stabilization over the past 12 months, as material expenses remain 1.9% lower than a year ago.

    By • Oct. 14, 2024
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    zxvisual via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    US crane count holds steady in Q3

    American and Canadian cities saw 15 fewer total cranes in the third quarter of 2024 than in the first, but construction activity remains robust.

    By • Oct. 11, 2024
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    Courtesy of Kentucky Exposition Center
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    Economic Reports

    Planning activity softens after months of growth

    Slowdowns in office, warehouse and retail projects drove much of September’s decline, but overall activity is still up for the year.

    By • Oct. 8, 2024
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    9 year-end tax tips for general contractors

    Company leaders should take time to review the tax implications of their business and operations now, writes a CPA focused on construction.

    By Anita Mahamed • Oct. 8, 2024
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    Courtesy of San Francisco International Airport / Karl Nielsen
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    Economic indicators: August 2024

    Construction Dive rounds up key industry data such as backlog, planning activity, input costs, starts and spending.

    By Construction Dive Staff • Oct. 8, 2024
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    Mario Tama/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Project abandonments drop amid contractor optimism

    Both private and public sectors appear to be benefitting from falling interest rates and a positive outlook, according to a construction economist.

    By • Oct. 3, 2024
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    Panupong Piewkleng via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Construction job openings leap monthly by record amount

    After several months of cooling, which experts speculate was mostly confined to the residential sector, unfilled positions increased by 138,000 in August.

    By • Oct. 2, 2024