Q1 Construction Part One: Indicators point to concentrated Q2 strength

Recent building and construction indicators pointed to a market that strengthened entering the second quarter of 2026, though the improvement remained concentrated in specific categories rather than a broad uptick across the construction sector.

Construction indicators during Q1 mostly strengthened, but the increases were largely bolstered by growth in data center project planning, infrastructure backlogs, and projects undertaken by large construction firms.

Nicholas Bell

Nicholas brings over half a decade of experience covering metals markets, pricing trends, and supply chain dynamics. Prior to joining AMU, he reported on aluminum, high-temperature scrap, and ferro-alloy markets at Argus Media, with additional coverage of minor metals and rare earths. His work has built deep expertise in North American metals pricing and trade flows. A native of Houston, Nicholas holds a bachelor’s degree in Media Production and an MBA with a concentration in Finance, both from the University of Houston.