North -American contractors reported an average of 8.8 months of work in July, up to 8.7 months of June and 8.4 months in July 2024, according to the latest survey of associated builders and contractors, conducted on July 24 in August. 4.
Two of the three tracked industry segments recorded month -to -month earnings. The commercial and institutional backlog increased to 9.17 months in July from 8.94 in June, while the infrastructure increased to 9.65 months from 9.32.
The heavy industrialist fell abruptly to 5.15 months from 6.80, marking the strongest fall of a month among all categories. The year -on -year infrastructure showed the highest increase, up to 2.1 months, while the heavy industrialist hired 0.7 months.
By region, the south led in July at 9.79 months, until 9.38 in June, followed by the West at 8.66 (up to 8.03) and the average states at 7.98 (up to 7.31).
The north -it fell to 8.11 months since 9.20 in June, the largest regional fall. Compared to a year earlier, the setback increased in all regions, except in the south, which still maintains the highest figure nationally.
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The decline also varied according to the size of the company. Contractors with annual income over $ 100 million reported 12.35 months of work under contract in July, until 11.87 in June and 10.43 a year earlier. The $ 30 million to $ 50 million increased to 9.22 months from 8.83 to June and $ 50 million to $ 100 million increased to 9.30 months from 9.24. Smaller companies, less than $ 30 million, were average of 7.91 months, slightly dropping from 8.02 to June.
Trust is reduced in July
The ABC construction confidence index showed a mixed feeling in July. Sales reading fell to 60.4 from 62.8 in June, and the benefits dropped to 51.8 of 53.5. However, staff expectations improved up to 62.4 of 59.4, the highest since April.
However, all figures are above the threshold of 50 points, which means the expectations of growth over the next six months. Only 1.8% of respondents expect significant profit gains during this period, below 4.1% in June and the lowest since October 2024. More than 80% of members said they received notices of rates related prices.
The ABC’s chief economist, Anirban Basu, said that the July increase reflects a strong demand for data centers – part of the setback for approximately one in eight members – as well as a substantial growth in infrastructure work.
“While the setback increased, the contractor’s confidence fell in July, especially with regard to the margins of benefit,” said Basu on the statement. “Less than 2% of ABC members expect their profit margins to increase significantly over the next six months, the least since October 2024”.
Basu said that the bassist sentiment is due to the commercial policy and the recent acceleration of the escalation of material prices, saying that “more than 80% of ABC members have been notified by the increase in rates -related prices”.
He said that public construction has overcome private work in recent months, but warned that the increase in material costs related to commercial policy weighs the expectations for the benefit of contractors.
“The setback continued to increase in July despite the continuous decrease in spending on construction,” Basu added. “Part of this force can be attributed to the fact that 1 in 8 members ABC is currently under contract to carry out work in a data center project … and the public construction activity has passed the private sector in recent months.”
Associated builders and contractors