Economy

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    Courtesy of MLB
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    Economic Reports

    The 8 largest commercial construction starts of July 2025

    Overall groundbreakings “reversed course in July, offsetting the strong gains made in June,” said the chief economist at Dodge Construction Network.

    By • Aug. 22, 2025
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    Courtesy of HS2
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    Balfour Beatty profits rise, but US arm struggles

    The contractor's U.K. construction segment hit its 3% margin target in the first half of 2025, but its U.S. business languished due to issues at a Texas infrastructure project.

    By • Aug. 15, 2025
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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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    Spencer Platt/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Latest Producer Price Index report offers little relief

    Domestic producers are “raising prices in line with the protection tariffs are providing them,” said a construction economist, a move that could further stoke inflation.

    By • Aug. 15, 2025
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    Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Data centers, public works boost backlog, but confidence cracks

    About four in five ABC members reported higher material price notices, a factor that cut into contractors’ optimism around sales and profits, according to ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.

    By • Aug. 13, 2025
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Construction stress eases, but contractors remain cautious

    Abandonments and delays eased in July, though a “volatile economic environment” lingers, according to ConstructConnect.

    By • Aug. 12, 2025
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    Teamjackson via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Wave of projects lifts construction planning to record high

    Notable strength in data center and warehouse activity accounted for the growth as developers absorb tariff-related cost increases, according to Dodge Construction Network. 

    By • Aug. 11, 2025
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Trump plans 100% tariffs for semiconductor imports

    Chips are one of several product types currently under Section 232 investigation by the White House, a frequent precursor to duties.

    By Philip Neuffer • Aug. 7, 2025
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    Courtesy of Dominion Energy
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    Dominion’s offshore wind project sees slight price hike from tariffs, CEO says

    The added expenses will increase customer bills by an average of three cents a month over the entire life of the project, said Bob Blue, Dominion’s president, CEO and chairman.

    By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 5, 2025
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    Scott Olson/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Construction Dive’s July 2025 economic roundup

    The data center boom remains hot but tariffs and labor concerns are casting doubt over the construction outlook.

    By • Aug. 5, 2025
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    Joe Raedle/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Nonresidential construction spending slips for sixth time in seven months

    AGC officials pointed to ongoing tariff and labor uncertainty as the reason many construction owners may be pulling back on planned projects.

    By • Aug. 4, 2025
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    (Photo illustration by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) via Getty Images
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    Stanley Black & Decker to raise prices again, navigate $800M tariff impact

    The world’s largest toolmaker is continuing to tweak its supply chain configurations and move forward with its cost reduction program to improve profitability.

    By Nathan Owens • July 31, 2025
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    Andrew Harnik/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Construction pros react to interest rate decision

    The Federal Reserve held rates steady Wednesday afternoon, dashing hopes for a summer cut, but builders are adjusting their strategies to stay on the job.

    By • July 30, 2025
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    Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group
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    10 notable factory cancellations or openings in 2025

    Ford, JetZero, Hyundai, Texas Instruments and TSMC are among the manufacturers to make facility investment news this year. Meanwhile, other companies with renewable energy projects have halted plans.

    By Sakshi Udavant • July 29, 2025
  • U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shake hands after concluding trade negotiations on July 27, 2025, in Turnberry, Scotland
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    US, EU agree to lower tariffs in ‘framework’ deal

    Most imports from the bloc would face a 15% tariff under the pact, U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Sunday.

    By Philip Neuffer • July 28, 2025
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    jamesteohart via Getty Images
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    NAHB: Multifamily completions hit 38-year high

    The South accounted for 48% of deliveries in 2024, followed by the West at 27%.

    By Leslie Shaver • July 25, 2025
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    DougVonGausig via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    The 9 largest commercial construction starts of June 2025

    Certain sectors, such as manufacturing and data centers, fueled a sharp rise in groundbreakings, but contractors remain wary of the second-half outlook.

    By • July 24, 2025
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    PixelsEffect via Getty Images
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    US hotel room construction hits 20-quarter low

    Rooms under construction decreased year over year in June for the sixth consecutive month amid economic uncertainty, according to CoStar.

    By Jenna Graber • July 22, 2025
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    Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Uncertainty Series

    Interest rate fog stalls construction momentum

    Elevated borrowing costs and higher input prices have created shaky conditions, spurring more delayed or abandoned projects.

    By • July 21, 2025
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    Courtesy of Skanska/Sweco Fazer
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    Skanska CEO says its selective strategy reduces risk

    The Stockholm-based firm’s success in U.S. construction continues to anchor its success, according to a second quarter earnings report.

    By • July 21, 2025
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    Bonnie Cash via Getty Images
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    Trump officials using building renovation costs to go after Fed chair, WSJ says

    High-profile criticism of some $700 million in cost overruns is said to be an effort to pressure Jerome Powell to quit.

    By Robert Freedman • July 21, 2025
  • construction workers unloading lumber on July 1, 2025, in Hercules, Calif.
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Construction costs rise as tariff clock ticks

    Materials prices climbed again in June, according to the latest Producer Price Index, even without new levies that are set to take effect on Aug. 1.

    By • July 17, 2025
  • Aerial view of a data center under construction in Ashburn, Va.
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    Gerville via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Backlog rebounds off data center construction boom

    Contractors reported stronger pipelines despite lingering tariff-related impacts on costs, according to Associated Builders and Contractors.

    By • July 16, 2025
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    Michael Gonzalez/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Builders say One Big Beautiful Bill Act will fuel construction activity

    Firms expect a spike in starts, but the race to break ground may compound certain issues.

    By • July 15, 2025
  • Aerial view of data centers under construction in Leesburg, Va.
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    Gerville via Getty Images
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    Economic Reports

    Construction planning climbs again on core sector momentum

    Warehouse, healthcare and tech projects drove the majority of growth in June amid pockets of softness elsewhere, according to Dodge Construction Network.

    By • July 10, 2025
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    Joe Raedle/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Tariff fallout leads to layoffs at Massachusetts concrete firm

    Contract delays tied to material price volatility forced 233 job cuts at Pittsfield, Massachusetts-based Unistress and its subsidiary.

    By • July 9, 2025