Cement Consumption Growth to Falter Over Next Two Years

摘要

The Portland Cement Association (PCA) Market Intelligence Group forecast for cement consumption over the next two years, shows less growth compared with 2018. This year's rate of change is 2.9 percent; growth recedes to 2.6 percent in 2019 and to 1.6 percent in 2020. "We are expecting relatively modest but sustained interest rate increases after 10 years of low and stable rates," said PCA Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Ed Sullivan. "The Federal Reserve's actions will gradually slow the construction sector's growth due to, among other things, the higher mortgage rates for residential buildings and higher borrowing cost for nonresidential buildings." Sullivan added, "While the tax cuts passed at the end of 2017 have helped to boost the overall economy, the rising debt will frame the discussion of future federal public infrastructure spending."