Construction Economics Update

From ABC (Associated Builders & Contractors); Construction Economics

“Construction Spending in May Up 7 Percent from One Year Ago”

Total construction spending in the nation – which includes both residential and nonresidential construction – increased 0.9 percent from April to May and is 7 percent higher from one year ago, according to the July 2 construction spending report from the U.S. Census Bureau. However, nonresidential construction was unchanged in May from the previous month, totaling $562.3 billion.

Eight of sixteen construction subsectors registered gains from April to May….. read the full article at this link:

http://www.abc.org/Hot_Links/ConstructionEconomicsIndex/Spending_July_2012.aspx

From RER (Real Estate Roundtable); Construction Economics

2nd Quarter 2012 Sentiment Index News Release

Commercial Real Estate Mending, But Still Vulnerable to Ongoing Economic, Political Risks, Roundtable Survey Shows

Without Stronger Job Creation, More Stable Policies from Washington, CRE Markets Likely to Bump Along at Low Level, Especially in Non-Gateway Areas

(WASHINGTON D.C.) — Commercial real estate executives participating in The Real Estate Roundtable’s latest quarterly Sentiment Survey generally said market conditions have improved since a year ago, but signaled a lack of confidence in the outlook for the coming year, citing global economic risks, Washington’s ability to deal with looming budget and tax issues, ongoing Euro zone turmoil, and the vast amount of commercial mortgages maturing this year and beyond…. Read full article at this link:

http://www.rer.org/ContentDetails.aspx?id=12241