The Portland Cement Association (PCA) released its annual Spring Forecast which envisions strong to moderate growth for cement consumption through 2019 and into 2020. PCA Market Intelligence expects cement consumption will grow by 2.3 percent in 2019; compared to the Fall 2018 forecast this represents a marginal slowing in the pace of growth.
“While there are several phenomenon that confront the economy in the next two years, PCA believes the economy is strong,” said PCA Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Ed Sullivan. “As interest rates rise, they will steal some strength from economic growth. Private construction growth, being an interest rate sensitive sector, is expected to slow under the weight of higher interest rates. Cement consumption growth will slow as a result.”
In addition, rising state deficits have forced many states to adjust budgets, reduce costs, and re-prioritize spending. “Absent a new near term infrastructure program, public sector cement consumption is also expected to slow as transportation investment takes a back seat to high state spending priorities,” Sullivan said.
PCA’s analysis notes the labor market remains strong. On a monthly basis the economy has generated 235,000 net new jobs. While this pace is expected to ease in subsequent years, it is expected to generate more than two million jobs for the next two years.
“Overall, the pace of cement consumption growth is expected to soften each year through 2021,” said Sullivan. “In 2022, interest rates are expected to reach their apex and recede slightly. At about this time, the supplemental infrastructure initiative is expected to materialize.”
