Dodge Momentum Index Stumbles in July

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NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Dodge Momentum Index fell in July, dropping 3.3 percent to 135.0 (2000=100) from its revised June reading of 139.6. The momentum index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. The move lower in July was due to a 6.6 percent decline in the institutional component of the momentum index, while the commercial component fell 1.1 percent. This month continues a recent trend of volatility in the momentum index where a string … Read more

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Construction Spending Decreases as Public Investment Tumbles, Private Outlay Grow Slows

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Construction spending in June declined from May but increased from a year ago as public investment shrank for nearly every type of structure, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that the significant declines in public-sector construction spending come at a time when much of the nation’s public infrastructure is deteriorating due to age or overuse. “Construction spending is still increasing overall but growth has become much more uneven across categories in recent months,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “There has been a steep decline in public … Read more

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ABC Reports Construction Input Prices Plod Higher, Energy Prices Down

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Construction input prices increased .3 percent in July and are up 3 percent on a year-over-year basis, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonresidential construction input prices were in line with overall industry dynamics, increasing 0.3 percent for the month and 2.7 percent for the year. Eight of 11 key construction input prices rose in July. Among the inputs experiencing declines in prices were crude petroleum (down 8 percent) and natural gas (down 7 percent). Natural gas prices have fallen during four of the past six … Read more

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Construction Input Prices Tick Higher in June, Crude Petroleum Prices Rebound

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WASHINGTON, D.C. –Construction input prices rose .2 percent in June, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data released by Associated Builders and Contractors. This represents the sixth increase in construction input prices over the past seven months, but the overall rate of increase has been quite slow. On a year-over-year basis, construction input prices are up 2.6 percent. Nonresidential construction input prices also rose .2 percent in June and are up 2.3 percent on a year-ago basis. Much of the input price inflation in June was due to increased charges for crude petroleum, which registered a price … Read more

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Construction Employment Increases In 264 out of 358 Metro Areas Between June 2016, 2017

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Construction employment increased in 264 out of 358 metro areas between June 2016 and June 2017, declined in 57 and stagnated in 37, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that even though most metro areas added construction jobs, the employment gains were particularly pronounced in the western third of the country. “Western metro areas, from southern California and Nevada to Oregon and Washington, logged many of the largest absolute and percentage increases in construction employment in the past year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. … Read more

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