b'THE OFFICIAL NFBA MAGAZINEFORECAST 2026RISING COSTS, SLUGGISH CONSUMERSECONOMIC OUTLOOKA modest uptick in economic growth, beneficial legislation from Washington and lower interest rates will help the construction industry boost profitability in 2026. The increasing costs of doing business, though, combined with uncertainty and consumer malaise will reduce the number of business initiatives that make it off the drawing board. Companies need to double down on smart tactics to boost productivity in the face of a decelerating population.ByPhillip M. PerryT he construction industry can lookenvironments of the past decade, forward to a gradually improving, ifare underperforming the 2.8% challenging, operating environmentincrease of 2024. in 2026. The US economy is holding up(Gross Domestic Product, the total admirably well despite a major trade shockvalue of the nations goods and caused by tariffs, said Bernard Yaros Jr.,services, is the most commonly Lead U.S. Economist at Oxford Economicsutilized measure of economic growth. Real (oxfordeconomics.com). We look for anGDP subtracts the effects of inflation).acceleration in growth in 2026 as stimulus from the One Big Beautiful Bill gets underway. Higher profitsOxford Economics expects real GDP toThe nations economic growth depends largely grow by 2% in 2026, up a bit from the 1.7%on the launch of new business initiatives. expected when 2025 numbers are finally tallied.Unfortunately, companies are holding back Both years, among the most sluggish growthfor a number of reasons. Interest rates, while 34 / FRAME BUILDER - VOL6 6'