Economy: Page 2
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Trumpās new tariffs add pressure to construction pipeline
Higher fees on materials from Canada, Mexico and China will further squeeze project budgets and likely lead to delays and cancellations.
By Sebastian Obando • March 4, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Construction spending stalls despite data center boom
A slight uptick in January was “far from encouraging,” according to ABC’s chief economist.
By Sebastian Obando • March 4, 2025 -
MasTec positions itself for oil and gas ārenaissanceā
The Coral Gables, Florida-based specialty contractor’s CEO said the company is positioned to capitalize on demand for energy and telecommunications infrastructure work.
By Matthew Thibault • March 3, 2025 -
Trump orders review of wood supply chain
Over the next year, various U.S. departments will assess whether tariffs, quotas or updated permitting processes could help limit the country’s reliance on foreign timber and lumber.
By Edwin Lopez • March 3, 2025 -
WSP āfeeling extremely goodā even amid instability from Trumpās moves
The firm announced a multi-year partnership with Microsoft as it embarks on a new tech-focused strategic cycle.
By Julie Strupp • Feb. 28, 2025 -
Column // The Dotted Line
Tariff worries force firms to rethink contracts
Builders are facing trade war-induced price escalation, but they can take key steps to help mitigate that risk.
By Sebastian Obando • Feb. 25, 2025 -
Economic Reports
The 9 largest commercial construction starts of January 2025
Overall activity dropped during the first month of the year, though infrastructure work kept builders busy, according to Dodge Construction Network.
By Sebastian Obando • Feb. 25, 2025 -
Lendleaseās focus on domestic work begins to pay off
As part of a new strategy, the Australian firm has sold off its U.S. construction projects and entered an agreement to divest from its U.K. business.
By Zachary Phillips • Feb. 19, 2025 -
Granite sees ātremendous supportā for IIJA from Washington
On the California-based roadbuilder’s fourth-quarter earnings call, CEO Kyle Larkin said the market was among the strongest he’s encountered, though inflation looms.
By Joe Bousquin • Feb. 18, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Tariff fears tied to biggest construction cost jump in 2 years
Contractors have rushed to buy materials before potential tariffs go into effect, pushing prices higher. More hikes could lie ahead, according to construction trade associations.
By Sebastian Obando • Feb. 13, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Construction backlog posts gains to kick off the year
Contractors expect activity to pick up over the next six months amid renewed confidence since the presidential election, according to Associated Builders and Contractors.
By Sebastian Obando • Feb. 13, 2025 -
Inflation heats up to 3% as Trump calls on Fed to cut main rate
The unexpected rise in price pressures prompted futures traders to increase the odds that the Federal Reserve will hold the benchmark rate at its current range beyond May.
By Jim Tyson • Feb. 13, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Construction planning up 26% to start 2025
The increase should boost spending in the second half of the year, according to Dodge Construction Network.
By Sebastian Obando • Feb. 11, 2025 -
Economic Reports
January 2025 economic roundup
Construction Dive tracks key industry data including backlog, planning activity, input costs, starts and spending.
By Sebastian Obando • Feb. 11, 2025 -
Trump tags steel, aluminum imports with 25% tariffs
The new duties build on actions from the president's first term while axing exemptions and product exclusions.
By Philip Neuffer • Feb. 11, 2025 -
Opinion // Business Matters
Why not to be the lowest bidder
Competing on price matters, but it is only part of consistently winning work, says consultant Chad Prinkey.
By Chad Prinkey • Feb. 6, 2025 -
Losing construction sectors under Trump
As the new administration begins to reshape federal policy, demand for certain types of projects could wane.
By Julie Strupp , Sebastian Obando • Feb. 5, 2025 -
Construction hiring slows to āunprecedented paceā
The decline is a result of diminished demand for labor, potentially due to cold weather and the presidential transition, according to a construction economist.
By Jennifer Goodman • Feb. 5, 2025 -
Winning construction sectors under Trump
Thanks to new White House policies aimed at limiting regulations and easing approvals, contractors expect a surge in activity for data centers, manufacturing and energy projects to power AI.
By Sebastian Obando , Julie Strupp • Feb. 4, 2025 -
Economic Reports
Construction spending slips as costs rise ahead of tariffs
Higher material prices could threaten future demand for projects even before a brewing trade war fully unfolds, according to AGC CEO Jeffrey Shoaf.
By Sebastian Obando • Feb. 4, 2025 -
Sponsored by American Express
American Express and Levelset help simplify lien rights to help merchants optimize business operations
American Express and Levelset are teaming up to help address lien rights management in the construction industry.
Feb. 3, 2025 -
DOT says it will tie funding to birth, marriage rates
The agency issued a memo after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy authorized a series of actions to advance Trump’s agenda.
By Zachary Phillips • Jan. 31, 2025 -
How California wildfires are affecting supply chains
While no major warehouse impacts have been reported, a spike in building materials demand could create shortages.
By Alejandra Carranza • Jan. 31, 2025 -
PCL ramps up manufacturing group for onshoring surge
The move aligns the firm's pros from different geographies under one fully integrated team.
By Matthew Thibault • Jan. 31, 2025 -
Q&A
Circularity, sustainability provide opportunities: VC lead
Eduardo Gomez, the head of CRH Ventures, said the firm uses its accelerator programs to find standout startups and potential business partners.
By Matthew Thibault • Jan. 29, 2025