據IHS Markit調查公司（NYSE:INFO）采購執行小組（PEG）數據，建筑設備價格走低將持續到2020年4季度。
5月份的建筑工程造價指數為38.2，略高于上月的34.9，但仍位于50的中間值以下，建筑材料和設備的造價指數為35.0，分包商人力價格指數為45.7。
材料和設備價格已連續三個月下降，12個分項中的9項價格走低，只有預制混凝土價格上升。海運（從亞洲到美國及從歐洲到美國）的價格走勢平平，結構鋼、合金鋼管、碳鋼管、銅線和銅質電纜等材料的價格較4月份稍有增長，這表明，雖然絕大多數建筑材料的價格持續下降，仍有少數的價格已呈增長態勢。另一方面，建筑設備的指數數據較4月份繼續下降，下降幅度較之前更大。
“設備價格的普遍下跌說明隨著油價下跌，很多公司被迫節省開支，尤其是在新建項目上，由此也反映出能源行業的發展趨勢” HIS Markit公司高級經濟師托馬斯·麥卡廷說“這導致承包基礎設施建設的工程總承包（EPC）單位對工程設備需求的減少，以及能源行業對精密設備需求的減少”。
5月份建筑人力成本指數為45.7，相較上個月34.3的數值稍有回升。美國南部和東北部人力價格有上升，中西部和西部該價格下降，在加拿大東部和西部價格均下降。
5月份的建筑業造價半年預期指數下跌至42.0，再次刷新IHS Markit調查公司PEG小組進行此項調查追蹤后的最低值。建筑材料、設備和人力價格預期均下滑。4月份材料設備價格半年預期指數為40.7，5月份下降到39.9。4月份人力成本半年預期值為45.2，5月份稍有提升，位于46.9。
美國東北部較為樂觀，人力價格期望在六個月內能有所回升，南部地區預計人力價格依然走平，在美國中西部及西部預計將繼續下跌。
調查再次顯示，受新冠肺炎影響，建筑市場需求有所縮減。（翻譯：中國建筑業協會）
Collapse in Demand Due to COVID-19 Weakens Engineering and Construction Equipment Prices in May, According to IHS Markit
Survey respondents see lower prices continuing into the fourth quarter of 2020
May 27, 2020
NEW YORK (May 27, 2020) – Engineering and Construction costs fell in May, according to IHS Markit (NYSE: INFO) and the Procurement Executives Group (PEG). The current headline IHS Markit PEG Engineering and Construction Cost Index registered 38.2 in May, a slight increase over last month’s figure of 34.9, but still well below the neutral mark of 50, indicating falling prices. The materials and equipment portion of the index came in at 35.0 with the sub-contractor portion at 45.7.
The materials and equipment sub-index recorded the third consecutive month of falling prices. Survey respondents reported falling prices for nine out of the 12 components with only ready-mix prices increasing. Ocean freight (from Asia to The United States and Europe to The United States) prices stayed flat. Index prices for fabricated steel, alloy steel pipe and carbon steel, copper wire and cable, were higher relative to April, though still in contraction territory in May, illustrating that although the majority of respondents noted falling prices, there were few responders who registered price increases. On the other hand, index figures for equipment fell relative to April, with falling prices more widely observed in these categories.
“The widespread declines in equipment prices reflect broad energy industry trends as low oil prices have forced companies to reduce spending, especially on new projects,” said Thomas McCartin, senior economist at IHS Markit. “This had led to lower equipment demand from engineering, procurement and construction firms that build infrastructure and refining facilities in the energy industry.”
The sub-index for current subcontractor labor costs came in at 45.7 in May, a slight uptick from April’s low of 34.3. Labor costs rose in the U.S. Northeast and South; they fell in the U.S. Midwest and West. Labor costs fell in both Eastern and Western Canada.
The six-month headline expectations for future construction costs fell in May to 42.0, yet another all-time low for the IHS Markit PEG Engineering and Construction Cost Index. Both the materials/equipment and labor subcomponents recorded expectations of future price decreases. The six-month materials and equipment expectations index came in at 39.9 this month(May), down from 40.7 last month(April), with responders expecting falling prices for nine out of 12 categories. Expectations for sub-contractor labor registered 46.9 in May, a slight uptick from 45.2 in April. While the U.S. Northeast is expected to see higher labor costs in six months, labor costs are expected to stay flat in the U.S. South. Labor costs in Canada, the U.S. Midwest and U.S. West are expected to keep falling.
In the survey comments, respondents noted lower demand conditions due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
