Articles by Ken Simonson

Contractors see weaker conditions as steel jumps yet again.

Construction spending slipped 0.3 percent in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.12 billion.

Steel hikes proliferate; McGraw-Hill starts rise.

Several commodities used in construction continue to rise rapidly in price, including diesel fuel, natural gas, copper and steel.

McGraw-Hill starts increase but other signs weaken.

Manufacturing capacity is estimated to increase 2.1% in 2008.

‘Stimulus’ passes but construction funds are tight.

One contributor to rising construction costs is diesel fuel.

Nonresidential jobs appear to flatten but spending soars.

The U.S. population rate was little changed from 2006, but several fast-growing states slowed.