Ken Simonson
Ken Simonson
november october revised september spending
Construction spending in November outpaced even the upwardly revised October and September totals.
success
It showed a little more success than I had expected.
eerie leave roof uncovered
It's an eerie challenge. You don't want to leave the roof uncovered in a place like that.
adds damaged demand depends katrina materials rebuilding recovery speed types whether
Whether the recovery from Katrina adds to demand for construction materials depends on the types and speed of rebuilding in damaged areas.
concrete demand dependent several steadily supply
The demand for concrete has been outstripping supply for several years. We've become more steadily dependent on imports.
break check houses sell signed throw wait
They used to throw up houses and try to sell them. Now, they wait for a signed check before they break ground.
among case categories comparing december grew growth increased major private public rose
As was the case for most of the year, growth was well distributed among the major construction segments. Comparing December 2005 to December 2004, public construction grew 10%, private residential construction rose 9.0%, and private nonresidential was up 6.0%. For the year, those categories increased 8.0%, 11%, and 5.0%, respectively.
gains marks turn
This marks a real turn around for non-residential construction. I think we will see more real gains in 2005.
capacity expanding growing meet problem spot
Availability is going to be even more of a problem in 2006 than it was in 2005. In 2005 you had spot shortages. In 2006, nonresidential construction is growing and capacity is not expanding to meet those needs.
average below cents diesel fallen fuel gas gulf higher keeping mexico national natural oil per prices production record retail rita supplies year
Oil and natural gas prices have fallen sharply from their post-hurricane highs. However, production from the Gulf of Mexico is still down by more than 15 percent, keeping supplies tight. As of mid-March, the national average retail price of diesel fuel was around $2.55 per gallon, 60 cents below the record set after Rita but 35 cents (16 percent) higher than a year ago.
impact
I think the impact is going to be nationwide for construction.
columbia district last short states worse
Last year, 32 states and the District of Columbia were short of cement. Many will have worse shortages this year,
again cement certainly certainty fully heading likely material near prices severe spike until
I think it's likely that prices will spike again and I think it's near certainty there will be some material shortages, ... Our cement shortages will certainly get worse. We're heading for severe shortages of cement at least until those ports are fully operational.
consumer costs materials period prolonged rapidly rise
I think we're in for a prolonged period in which construction materials costs are going to rise more rapidly than consumer costs.