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Annual Capital Expenditures Survey

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Annual Capital Expenditures Survey

The Annual Capital Expenditures Survey (ACES) provides data on capital spending for new and used structures and equipment by U.S. nonfarm businesses with and without employees. Data have been collected annually beginning with data for 1994. Also, every five years, for years ending in "3" and "8", detailed data by types of structures and types of equipment have been collected from companies with employees. In 2010, it was decided that this detailed data should be collected for years ending in "2" and "7" beginning in 2013, to align with the years in which the Economic Census is conducted. United States Code, Title 13, authorizes this survey and makes responding mandatory; it also protects the confidentiality of respondents and the data they provide.

These statistics are an important input for federal agencies constructing composite national economic measures, such as the Bureau of Economic Analysis' estimates of private-fixed investments, a major component of gross domestic product; the Bureau of Labor Statistics' estimates of capital stocks for productivity analysis; and the Federal Reserve Board's Flow of Funds accounts. Industry analysts and businesses use these data for market analysis, economic forecasting, product development, and business planning.



  Latest ACES News  

  • 2015 Capital Spending Report: U.S. Capital Spending Patterns, 2004-2013---- Released on July 9, 2015 - Between 2004 and 2013, total spending by U.S. nonfarm businesses increased $446.1 million (42.8 percent) from $1,042.1 billion in 2004 to $1,488.2 billion in 2013. (See below)
  • 2013 ACES - Released on February 5, 2015 - In 2013, U.S. nonfarm businesses invested $1,488.2 billion in new and used structures and equipment, an increase of 4.5 percent over the revised 2012 total of $1,423.6 billion (See below).

  Latest ACES Data  


Find results from the 2013 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey, including data at the national level on capitalized expenditures for new and used structures and equipment by U.S. nonfarm businesses with and without employees. Data are also published by industry for companies with employees for North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 3-digit and selected 4-digit industries. Find historical data on changes in U.S. capital spending patterns for new and used structures and equipment.

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau |Annual Capital Expenditures | (301) 763-3324 |  Last Revised: July 08, 2015