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Chris Fisher of Ducker Carlisle outlines how smart positioning and specialization will define winners

To begin, could you share details of your career history and how you came to be in your current position? I’ ve spent over 30 years in the global construction and industrial sectors, working both in consulting and on the operating side in corporate development for multinational corporations. Today, I lead Ducker Carlisle’ s Global Building and Construction practice, where we help corporate executives and private equity firms grow, improve, and advance their businesses.

After two years of tightening conditions, your latest outlook suggests the US construction market is finding its floor. What signals are you seeing that indicate the downturn is nearing its end? The most important signal is the Federal Reserve’ s decision to cut its benchmark rate and signal the potential for further reductions in 2026. Combined with improving economic conditions, this will lift sentiment among builders and consumers. We’ re also seeing steady investment and project planning in data centers and reindustrialized light manufacturing tied to AI growth and domestic trade policy. In addition, commercial occupancy levels and business cashflows are improving; two reliable indicators of future investment.

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