Industry News

U.S. Economy / Markets

Equipment Lease Finance Confidence Eases in April
The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (the Foundation) released the April 2013 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI) April 19. Designed to collect leadership data, the index reports a qualitative assessment of both the prevailing business conditions and expectations for the future as reported by key executives from the $725 billion equipment finance sector.
Construction Equipment Guide – 5/8/2013

152 Metro Areas Add Construction Jobs Between March 2012 and 2013
Construction employment increased in 152 out of 339 metropolitan areas between March 2012 and March 2013, declined in 126 and was stagnant in 61, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Forconstructionpros.com – 5/1/2013

Constrction Jobs Rise for Tenth Month in a Row to Three-Year High as Firms Add 18,000 Employees in March and Unemployment Falls to 14.7 Percent
Employment Climbs in Most Categories but Infrastructure Hiring Lags While Energy Segment May Face Worker Shortage Unless Highway, Water Spending Increase and Immigration Reform Includes Construction
AED – 4/7/2013

US economy adds just 88,000 jobs in March
The US economy added just 88,000 jobs in March, the lowest increase for nine months, official data has shown.
BBC News – 4/5/2013

US economy ekes out 0.4% growth in fourth quarter
The US economy grew at a faster than expected 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2012, the Department of Commerce has said.
BBC News – 3/28/2013

List of Improving Housing Markets Rises to 274 in March
The list of improving U.S. housing markets expanded for a seventh consecutive month in March to include 274 metros on the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI). This total amounts to a net gain of 15 markets since February and includes entrants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
CE Unbound – 3/22/2013

Construction employment increases in 145 out of 339 metro areas January 2012-13
Construction employment increased in 145 out of 339 metropolitan areas between January 2012 and January 2013, declined in 141 and was stagnant in 53, according to a new analysis of federal employment data by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Association officials noted that after years of declining construction employment, contractors in some metro areas are beginning to worry about the availability of skilled workers now that they have resumed hiring.
Roads & Bridges – 3/22/2013

Measure of US economy's health rises in February
A measure of the U.S. economy's health over the next six months increased in February from January, a sign that growth could be improving.
Yahoo! News – 3/21/2013

Employment Report Shows Job Growth in All Significant Construction Sectors
According to the March 9 employment report by the Department of Labor, the construction industry added 48,000 jobs in February—the largest monthly increase since March 2007.
AED – 3/18/2013

Construction Employment Up in 34 States
Construction Employment increased in 34 states and Washington, D.C. in January, according to analysis of federal data by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).
Construction Equipment – 3/18/2013