Construction Backlog Indicator Expands for Second Straight Quarter

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today reports that its Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) expanded for the second consecutive quarter, up to 8 months in the third quarter of this year, a 3.5 percent increase from the previous quarter. CBI is measured in months and reflects the amount of construction work under contract but not yet completed.

“While the nation’s nonresidential construction activity is likely to remain subdued as we approach the final months of 2012, the CBI is signaling that nonresidential construction spending will accelerate by mid-2013,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “However, this presumes the nation does not tumble over the fiscal cliff - a series of spending cuts and tax increases that kick in at the end of the year.

“Another recession would undermine the momentum of an already struggling construction industry,” Basu said. “The recovery in construction backlog, and in overall construction spending, would likely be more rapid today if not for the elevated level of uncertainty facing economic decision-makers.

“What the CBI data tells us is certain industries and geographies will be associated with more robust construction spending recovery, including segments related to energy generation, health care and infrastructure,” said Basu. “CBI dynamics also seem to suggest the latter half of 2013 may be associated with more rapid growth in construction spending than the first half of the year."

Regional Highlights

• The Northeast, middle states and West regions experienced expansion in construction backlog during the third quarter. These regions also saw year-over-year growth in backlog.
• The West region now records the lengthiest backlog, due in part to the rapid recovery in California, Arizona and Washington.
• The South region has experienced declining backlog for four consecutive quarters.

"The CBI indicates the West region is racing back,” said Basu. “Better economic performances in markets such as San Jose, Los Angeles, Seattle, Phoenix and Las Vegas have positioned the West to enjoy surprisingly strong backlog recovery during the past three quarters. These markets appear to be driven by a combination of strong demand for technology, rising levels of consumer spending and stabilizing housing markets.

“Gradual recovery characterizes the middle states region, though certain communities such as energy-rich North Dakota, economically vibrant Minnesota and states with rebounding auto manufacturing sectors like Indiana are experiencing faster construction spending growth,” Basu said.

“In contrast, construction activity in the South has waned, due in part to significant slowing in industrial production, softness in the economies of Alabama and Mississippi, and low natural gas prices, which has impacted energy-related investment.”

View regional trend data. 

Industry Highlights

• In the third quarter, construction backlog rose for all three industrial segments except for infrastructure, a category in which measured backlog is virtually equal to a year ago.
• Backlog for the heavy industrial category expanded by four-fifths of a month during the third quarter and now stands at 6.73 months. Backlog in this category has not been this high since the second quarter of 2010.
• Backlog in the commercial and institutional category rose for a second consecutive month, spurred by ongoing increases in consumer spending and renewed expansion plans among several key retailers.