An Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data shows that construction input prices increased 0.2% in June compared to the previous month and are 2.1% higher overall than a year ago. Nonresidential construction input prices are 2.5% higher. Prices increased in two of the three energy categories last month. Natural gas and unprocessed energy materials prices were up 5.9% and 1.4%, respectively, while crude petroleum prices decreased 0.1% in June. “Nonresidential input price escalation has accelerated in 2025, with prices rising at a rapid 6.0% annualized rate through the first half of the year,” ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu stated in a press release. “Despite this acceleration, prices for many of the inputs most directly affected by tariffs, like iron and steel, declined in June. While it is unclear how and when trade policy will affect construction materials prices, the impact was evident in June’s Consumer Price Index release: prices for core goods excluding automobiles rose at the fastest pace since late 2021. “Economic uncertainty remains extraordinarily elevated,” Basu said. “What is all but certain is that the Federal Reserve will not be cutting interest rates at its July meeting. Despite higher-for-longer interest rates and rising input prices, contractors remain relatively optimistic about their profit margins, according to ABC’s Construction Confidence Index. This could be due to 100% bonus depreciation — made permanent in the One Big Beautiful Bill — offsetting higher operating costs.”