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.