U.S. national Portland cement shipments in March totaled 7.935 million, (Mt) short tons. For the three months total (3MMT), ending March, cement shipments were up 2.8% year on year, (y/y).

Total U.S. construction spending continued to perform well in April, especially in the federal sector.

April's ABI national overall score of 52.0, up 1.0 point from March’s 51.0 but still well into the expansionary zone, (>50). Although business conditions in the Midwest and Southern weakened, it remained strong in the Northeast and West regions.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics producer prices index, (PPI) excluding food and energy, the final demand goods PPI rose 0.1% for the month of April, this being the fourth consecutive month to increase. The PPI for all commodities was down 0.2% month on month, (m/m).

Total U.S. construction spending continued to perform well in March, especially in the federal sector.

The U.S. Census Bureau reported that; new orders for durable goods orders gained 2.6% month on month, (m/m) in March, following the 3.5% increase in February. The always volatile nondefense aircraft orders, adding 44.5% m/m and 55.0% y/y saw the greatest growth out of all orders.