Data
Architecture billings index fell to 44.7 in September, the lowest reading since May
The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index fell to 44.7 in September from 47.2 in August, as design contracts dropped and inquiries rose.
Tag
Nonresidential Construction
Data
Construction spending fell 1.9% in September as residential improvement spending dropped
Census puts September 2026 construction spending at $2,186.1 billion SAAR, down 1.9% from a revised August, as private residential fell 5.5%.
2,186.1 September 2026 · -1.9% on the month · -2.7% on the year
September fell back below the 12-month average
Total construction spending, billions of dollars, seasonally adjusted annual rate
Feature Data
Prices of goods bought by construction rose 2.2% in September, led by a 24% jump in diesel
BLS producer prices for goods bought by construction rose 2.2% in September and 11.2% in a year. Nonresidential building prices rose 5.4% in a year.
Data
ABC's Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.7 months in September, its second monthly gain
ABC's Construction Backlog Indicator rose 0.2 months to 8.7 months in September, with commercial and institutional backlog at 9.0 months.
Data
Dodge Momentum Index rose 2.4% in September to 288.0 as institutional planning grew 9.4%
The Dodge Momentum Index rose 2.4% in September to 288.0, with institutional planning up 9.4% and commercial planning down 1.3%.
Data
Construction spending rose 0.9% in August after Census revised July up $27 billion
Census says US construction spending ran at $2,203.1 billion SAAR in August 2026, up 0.9% from a July figure revised up by 1.2%.
Feature Markets report
a16z says AI accounts for nearly all new construction spending, and Census shows data centers up 57.2% as the total fell 3.8%
a16z's State of Markets deck credits AI with nearly all new construction spending. Census shows data centers up 57.2% in a year as the total fell 3.8%.
All stories in Nonresidential Construction
| Date | Trend | Category | Title | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data | Construction spending fell 1.9% in September as residential improvement spending dropped | Census puts September 2026 construction spending at $2,186.1 billion SAAR, down 1.9% from a revised August, as private residential fell 5.5%. | ||
| Data | Architecture billings index fell to 44.7 in September, the lowest reading since May | The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index fell to 44.7 in September from 47.2 in August, as design contracts dropped and inquiries rose. | ||
| Data | Prices of goods bought by construction rose 2.2% in September, led by a 24% jump in diesel Feature | BLS producer prices for goods bought by construction rose 2.2% in September and 11.2% in a year. Nonresidential building prices rose 5.4% in a year. | ||
| Data | ABC's Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.7 months in September, its second monthly gain | ABC's Construction Backlog Indicator rose 0.2 months to 8.7 months in September, with commercial and institutional backlog at 9.0 months. | ||
| Data | Dodge Momentum Index rose 2.4% in September to 288.0 as institutional planning grew 9.4% | The Dodge Momentum Index rose 2.4% in September to 288.0, with institutional planning up 9.4% and commercial planning down 1.3%. | ||
| Data | Construction spending rose 0.9% in August after Census revised July up $27 billion | Census says US construction spending ran at $2,203.1 billion SAAR in August 2026, up 0.9% from a July figure revised up by 1.2%. | ||
| AI | a16z says AI accounts for nearly all new construction spending, and Census shows data centers up 57.2% as the total fell 3.8% Feature | a16z's State of Markets deck credits AI with nearly all new construction spending. Census shows data centers up 57.2% in a year as the total fell 3.8%. | ||
| Data | Architecture billings index rose to 47.2 in August as Northeast firms fell to their lowest reading since 2020 | The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index rose to 47.2 in August from 46.6 in July, still below 50, as the Northeast fell to 40.7. |