Dodge Momentum Index Moves Higher in January

  • Posted on

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Dodge Momentum Index rose 2.4 percent in January to 126.4 (2000=100) from its December reading of 123.4. The 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 increase in January was the result of a 3.3 percent increase in institutional projects, and a 1.6 percent increase in commercial projects. On a year-over-year basis, the overall index is 1.7 percent higher even though the commercial portion is down 6.8 percent. Commercial planning intentions … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , ,

Nonresidential Construction Market Momentum to Continue

  • Posted on

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Construction spending greatly exceeded expectations in the nonresidential market in 2015, and this year should see healthy growth levels as well. There continues to be significant demand for hotels, office space, manufacturing facilities and amusement and recreation spaces. The American Institute of Architects’ semi-annual Consensus Construction Forecast, a survey of the nation’s leading construction forecasters, is projecting that spending will increase just more than eight percent in 2016, with next year’s projection being an additional 6.7 percent gain. “While rising interest rates could pose a challenge to the U.S. economy, lower energy prices, improved employment figures and … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: ,

New Construction in U.S. Expected to Grow 6.5% This Year

  • Posted on

ATLANTA, Ga. – Construction starts in the United States are expected to increase 6.5 percent and total more than $560 billion in the coming year, according to CMD’s latest quarterly forecast report. An overall recovering economy, including wage and employment growth, increased state and federal spending on infrastructure projects and an improved investment outlook in nonresidential construction are contributing to the forecast. The report, which combines CMD’s proprietary data with macroeconomic factors and Oxford Economics econometric expertise, shows year-end growth came in slightly below expectation. A weaker fourth quarter depressed construction activity, leading to total construction starts growth of 3.7 … Read more

Filed under: Economic News, eNewsTagged with:

Construction Firms Add 18,000 Workers in January, Unemployment Falls to 17-Year Low

  • Posted on

Construction firms added 18,000 workers in January, as the industry’s unemployment rate declined to a 17-year low of 8.5 percent, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the number of construction jobs added in January was down compared to the last three months of 2015 and could reflect either a slowdown in nonresidential construction activity or an inability of contractors to find qualified workers. “While the construction industry continues to add jobs, the January figures mark a significant decline in the rate of growth compared to the end … Read more

Filed under: Economic News, eNewsTagged with: , ,

USGBC, Dodge Release World Green Building Trends Report 2016

  • Posted on

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Green Building Council and Dodge Data & Analytics partnered to release World Green Building Trends 2016 SmartMarket Report. The new report, conducted in nearly 70 countries, demonstrates that global green building continues to double every three years. The report also finds emerging economies like Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia and South Africa will be engines of green growth, with development varying from two-fold to six-fold over current green building levels. “International demand for green building, due in great part to the LEED green building program’s global popularity, has grown steadily over the years,” said Rick Fedrizzi, … Read more

Filed under: Economic News, eNewsTagged with: , , , ,