AGC's Data DIGest: Feb. 23-27, 2026

Signals and SignpostsInput prices for new nonresidential construction rose 0.7% in January and 2.9% year over year (y/y), according to producer price index (PPI) data the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) posted today. AGC posted tables and charts of construction-related PPIs. The y/y increase reflects sharp price gains for several key construction materials, including aluminum mill shapes (up 33.0%), steel mill products (up 20.7%), and copper and brass mill shapes (up 15.7%). These were the largest y/y increases for these inputs since 2022 (aluminum and steel) or 2023 (copper). Prices for construction machinery and equipment rose 4.7% over the past year. Although PPIs exclude foreign producers’ prices, some domestic producers were quick to raise prices once tariffs took effect. Tariffs on aluminum and steel from most countries increased from 25% to 50% on June 4. A 50% tariff on products containing copper took effect on August 7. The overall increase was held down by a 12.3% y/y decline in the PPI for diesel fuel. BLS posted routine annual revisions to the relative weights (percentages of totals) for inputs to construction and for nonresidential building construction and subcontractors’ “bid prices” (output price indexes for selected project types).Tariffs on key construction inputs including steel, aluminum, copper and softwood lumber remain in place (because they were imposed under separate trade laws) following the Supreme Court’s February 20th ruling that the Internati...