Construction market trends

United States

X Values ABI (LHS) Output (RHS, %, y-o-y)
Jan-19 55.3 -0.16
Feb-19 50.3 -2.19
Mar-19 47.8 1.95
Apr-19 50.5 0.77
May-19 50.2 1.82
Jun-19 49.1 4.43
Jul-19 50.1 5.52
Aug-19 47.2 5.99
Sep-19 49.7 6.77
Oct-19 52 8.72
Nov-19 51.9 11.95
Dec-19 52.1 7.98
Jan-20 52.2 5.81
Feb-20 53.4 4.89
Mar-20 33.3 1.15
Apr-20 29.5 -0.55
May-20 32 -2.14
Jun-20 40 -1.74
Jul-20 40 -2.83
Aug-20 40 -5.16
Sep-20 47 -6.76
Oct-20 47.5 -8.13
Nov-20 46.3 -9.49
Dec-20 42.3 -9.08
Jan-21 44.9 -9.06
Feb-21 53.3 -9.68

Tentative signs of stabilisation in private non-residential construction. Residential construction output remains strong.

Private non-residential construction down -10% y-o-y in Feburary 2021. However, the Architectural Billings Index (ABI) reached 53.3 in February (>50, expansion) and exceeding 50 for the first time since February 2020.

China

X Values Floor space started
Jan-19 17.91
Feb-19 13.08
Mar-19 10.69
Apr-19 13.08
May-19 11.15
Jun-19 9.12
Jul-19 6.61
Aug-19 6.95
Sep-19 6.05
Oct-19 11.01
Nov-19 8.02
Dec-19 8.26
Jan-20 -6.58
Feb-20 -17.65
Mar-20 -30.64
Apr-20 -18.42
May-20 -8.57
Jun-20 3.82
Jul-20 7.59
Aug-20 7.70
Sep-20 3.91
Oct-20 1.28
Nov-20 1.84
Dec-20 4.71
Jan-21 11.84
Feb-21 24.91

China’s booming property sector fueled by strong credit but authorities introduce measures to slow credit growth.

The 3 month moving average y-o-y growth in newly started floor space increased 25% in February and floor space sold jumped 36%.

Europe

X Values PMI (LHS) Output (RHS, %, y-o-y)
Jan-19 50.60 0.66
Feb-19 52.60 6.51
Mar-19 52.20 6.41
Apr-19 52.10 3.10
May-19 50.60 2.43
Jun-19 50.80 2.04
Jul-19 50.60 1.68
Aug-19 49.10 0.84
Sep-19 50.50 0.37
Oct-19 50.70 0.56
Nov-19 50.60 1.29
Dec-19 51.30 -2.44
Jan-20 51.90 4.30
Feb-20 52.50 -0.36
Mar-20 33.50 -15.56
Apr-20 15.10 -29.72
May-20 39.50 -9.47
Jun-20 48.30 -4.19
Jul-20 48.90 -3.57
Aug-20 47.80 0.92
Sep-20 47.50 -2.74
Oct-20 44.90 -1.75
Nov-20 45.60 0.00
Dec-20 45.50 0.09
Jan-21 44.10 -2.33
Feb-21 45.00

European construction sector output weak and to remain so till H1 2021

Eurozone construction output increased 1% m-o-m in January but was still down -2.3% y-o-y. The IHS Markit Eurozone Construction PMI stood at 45 in February (< 50, contraction).

India

X Values Floor space started
Feb-20 5.10
Mar-20 -8.96
Apr-20 -44.41
May-20 -21.15
Jun-20 -12.09
Jul-20 -7.95
Aug-20 -7.48
Sep-20 -0.34
Oct-20 -1.79
Nov-20 -1.71
Dec-20 -0.44
Jan-21 0.39
Feb-21 -4.72

India’s eight infrastructure sectors contracted by the sharpest rate in six months in February amid uncertainty due to the second wave of coronavirus infections

The weighted average of eight core industries output fell -4.6% y-o-y in February with contraction seen in all sub sectors of the index


 

Sector Innovations – via Steel Australia, Winter 2020 InQuik revolutionises the future of bridge design

Established by Bruce Mullaney in 2015, and run by his sons Logan and Ben, InQuik’s innovative system enables bridges of varying lengths to be built from modular components. These components are manufactured in the Hunter Region and Brisbane, and can then be assembled by local tradespeople trained by InQuik. Gaining rapid momentum over the last few years, InQuik is set to oversee the construction of its 70th bridge, with many more projects on the horizon.

 

Technical trends Laying the foundation for zero-carbon cement

As a key component of concrete, cement is an integral part of our everyday lives. In fact, it is the second-most consumed product globally after potable water, and it is used in almost everything we build—from houses and cityscapes to dikes and dams. At the same time, the cement industry alone is responsible for about a quarter of all industry CO2 emissions, and it also generates the most CO2 emissions per dollar of revenue.

Construction steel news headlines

construction market and regulations

construction materials

construction sector players