A new report by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), analyzing the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index data has revealed that construction input prices increased 0.3% in October. Nonresidential construction input prices also increased 0.3% for the month.Last month, prices in all three energy subcategories increased. Natural gas prices increased by 29.3%, unprocessed energy materials prices rose 9.9%, and crude petroleum prices went up by 7.3%. Overall, construction input prices are 0.2% lower than they were a year ago, and nonresidential construction input prices are 0.5% lower.Chart credit: Associated Builders and ContractorsHigher energy prices drove the increase in construction input prices observed in October, said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. While prices for a few other materials, like concrete and copper products, also rose for the month, overall input prices are lower than they were one year ago and have fallen 5% since reaching an all-t...