By Ed Sullivan The latest economic data, on its surface, presents a stronger-than-expected economic picture. Headline GDP growth of 3% exceeded most expectations even in the context of slower consumer spending. Headline consumer confidence edged up, although the present situation index eased a bit. Inflation measured by the personal consumer expenditures came in at 2.8% year-over-year (Y-O-Y), a bit stronger…
Read More
Construction-materials economist Ed Sullivan is taking aim at retail construction, noting that it does not get much attention, but it is critical to a recovery in private, nonresidential cement and concrete consumption.
Read More
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) allocates $46.5 billion to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for “physical barriers” along the Mexican border. This includes the construction of 701 miles of primary wall, 900 miles of river barriers, and 629 miles of secondary barriers, along with the replacement of 141 miles of existing vehicle and pedestrian barriers.
Read More
The Trump Administration’s tough stance on tariffs has dramatically increased the prospects of higher inflation and reduced the outlook for economic growth in 2025, according to Ed Sullivan, economist at The Sullivan Report.
Read More
In his latest “ The Sullivan Report,” Ed Sullivan addresses the potential impact tariffs may have on the United States cement market. He focuses on the landed cost increases, whether the costs are absorbed by the importer, and strategies undertaken to mitigate price increases.
Read More
One of the top economists in the industry is stepping down. Ed Sullivan, senior vice president of market intelligence and chief economist, announced his resignation from the Portland Cement Association (PCA), effective March 1.
Read More
During the Portland Cement Association’s Fall Meeting, the association’s chief economist and senior vice president of market intelligence shared the industry’s economic forecast for 2025.
Read MoreIn his first widely available briefing since early March, Portland Cement Association (PCA) Chief Economist and Senior Vice President Ed Sullivan offered two U.S. cement consumption outlooks based on U- or W-shaped economic recovery curves. A U-shaped recovery will see 2020 and 2021 figures of -3.4% or +1.7%, while a W-shaped model will see declines of -4.8% and -2.7%.
Read More