February 2023 Construction Spending

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Construction spending during February 2023 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $1,844.1 billion, 0.1% (±0.7%)* below the revised January estimate of $1,845.4 billion (originally $1,825.7 billion); expectations were for 0.0%. The February figure is 5.2% (±1.2%) above the February 2022 SAAR of $1,753.1 billion; the not-seasonally adjusted YoY comparison (shown in the table below) is +5.1%.

During the first two months of this year, construction spending amounted to $260.8 billion, 5.9% (±1.2%) above the $246.1 billion for the same period in 2022.

* 90% confidence interval includes zero. The U.S. Census Bureau does not have sufficient statistical evidence to conclude that the actual change is different from zero.

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Private Construction

Spending on private construction was at a SAAR of $1,453.2 billion, virtually unchanged from (±0.5%)* the revised January estimate of $1,453.6 billion (originally $1,442.6 billion):
- Residential. $852.1 billion, -0.6% (±1.3%)* of which
- Home improvement. $361.0 billion, less than +0.1% (+5.7% YoY);
- Nonresidential. $601.0 billion, +0.7% (±0.5%).

Public Construction

Public construction spending was $391.0 billion, 0.2% (±1.3%)* below the revised January estimate of $391.8 billion (originally $383.1 billion):
- Educational. $84.6 billion, -0.9% (±2.0%)*
- Highway. $120.6 billion, +0.3% (±4.1%)*.

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Click here for a discussion of February’s new residential permits, starts and completions, and here for a discussion of new and existing home sales, inventories and prices.

The foregoing comments represent the general economic views and analysis of Delphi Advisors, and are provided solely for the purpose of information, instruction and discourse. They do not constitute a solicitation or recommendation regarding any investment.