Dodge Data & Analytics, New York, has reported construction starts decreased 6% in August. Total construction starts in August were down 5% compared with August 2018.
“The August decline was expected after July’s robust level of starts,” says Richard Branch, chief economist for Dodge Data & Analytics. “Furthermore, the year-to-date activity continued to suggest that this year’s levels are easing back from what was seen in 2018—essentially mirroring the slowdown in overall economic growth.”
Nonresidential building construction decreased 3% in August. The decline was the direct result of a 66% drop in manufacturing starts, which had surged in July. Commercial construction starts rose 7% in August as a result of increases in offices and warehouses. Institutional starts rose 2% in August because of increases in health and education facilities.
Residential building construction fell 1% in August. Single-family housing dropped 3%, and multifamily construction rose 3%.
Nonbuilding construction decreased 15% in August.
During the first eight months of 2019, nonresidential building was down 7% compared with the same time period in 2018. Residential building decreased 8%, and nonbuilding construction rose 3%.
