The July U.S. edition of The Monitor,
a monthly analysis of trends in the construction and cement
industries published by the Portland Cement Association, reports
projections from the Spring forecast for 2003 cement consumption
remain on track
The recovery in investment spending is a critical ingredient
in achieving +3 percent GDP growth during the second half
of 2003. Capital expenditures are showing signs of strengthening
and business confidence has been extremely robust since the
official end of the war with Iraq. Slower than anticipated
improvements in the U.S. labor markets have had an impact
on the timing of turning points in PCA’s revised Summer
forecast.
Key statistics from the July U.S. edition of The Monitor:
- Portland cement consumption rose 1.1 percent in April,
year-to-date consumption is down 2.4 percent.
- Blended cement consumption declined 25.6 percent in April
and is -3.2 percent against year-ago levels.
- Masonry cement consumption increased by 3.4 percent in
April against last year’s level; year-to-date consumption
is off just under 1 percent.
- Cement and clinker imports were down 6.9 percent in March
and continue to track down at a double-digit pace on a year-to-date
basis.
Reflecting on April 2003 data from several government-issued
reports including the U.S. Geological Survey, The Monitor
breaks down national economic trends, reports on cement consumption,
and provides an in-depth analysis of construction activity
for the residential, commercial, and public sectors.
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