WASHINGTON — Construction input prices decreased 0.9% in May compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices decreased 0.8% for the month.

Overall construction input prices are 2.1% higher than a year ago, while nonresidential construction input prices are 2.2% higher. Prices decreased in two of the three energy subcategories last month. Crude petroleum prices were down 8.7%, while unprocessed energy materials prices decreased 6.6%. Natural gas prices were up by 1.7%.

“For contractors, this data provides excellent news along two fronts,” said ABC chief economist Anirban Basu. “First, construction input prices fell for the first time since December and, despite rising somewhat sharply over the first four months of 2024, are up just 2.1% year over year. Second, the Producer Price Index’s economywide measure of final demand prices fell in May. This, along with yesterday’s cooler-than-expected Consumer Price Index data, signals slowing inflation and that the Federal Reserve may begin to cut rates sooner than expected. With contractor confidence regarding profit margins at the lowest level in seven months according to ABC's Construction Confidence Index, falling materials prices and the prospect of lower interest rates in 2024 are welcome developments for the construction industry.”