Nonresidential Spending Slipped in April
PRESS RELEASE
WASHINGTON, June 2 — National nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.1% in April, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.248 trillion.
Spending was down on a monthly basis in 6 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending was down 0.5%, while public nonresidential construction spending was up 0.5% in April.
“Construction spending slipped in April as headwinds like trade policy uncertainty, high interest rates and tight lending standards continued to batter industrywide momentum,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Nearly 22% of contractors reported tariff-related project delays or cancellations in April, and despite changes to certain import tax rates in May, policy uncertainty remains extraordinarily elevated.
“With the exception of data centers and certain public sector segments, the industry has few bright spots at the moment,” said Basu. “Private nonresidential spending has fallen in 3 of the first 4 months of 2025 and is on pace to decline 4% for the year. This is especially concerning given a nearly 10% year-over-year decline in computer/electronic manufacturing construction spending, the segment that bolstered the industry throughout much of 2023 and 2024.”
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Visit abc.org/economics for the Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index, plus analysis of spending, employment, job openings and the Producer Price Index.
Celebrating its 75th year, Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association represents more than 23,000 members. Founded in 1950 on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 67 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work.
Contact: Erika Walter, ABC | [email protected]