Outlook Predicts Economic Slowdown, Broad-Based Impact on Construction Growth

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Dodge Data & Analytics recently released its 2020 Dodge Construction Outlook, a mainstay in construction industry forecasting and business planning. The report predicts that total U.S. construction starts will slip to $776 billion in 2020, a decline of 4% from the 2019 estimated level of activity. “The recovery in construction starts that began during 2010 in the aftermath of the Great Recession is coming to an end,” stated Richard Branch, chief economist for Dodge Data & Analytics. “Easing economic growth driven by mounting trade tensions and lack of skilled labor will lead to a broad-based, but orderly pullback in construction … Read more

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Dodge Momentum Index Posts Recent Gain

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The Dodge Momentum Index moved 4.1% higher in September to 143.6 (2000=100) from the revised August reading of 137.9. The momentum index, issued by Dodge Data & Analytics, 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 gain in September was due entirely to an 8.9% increase in the commercial component, while the institutional component fell 4.8%. For the third quarter, the overall momentum index averaged 140.1, a scant increase of 0.7% from its average in the … Read more

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Contractors Share Perception of Resilient Building amid Peak Hurricane Season

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The Q3 2019 USG Corporation + U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index recently released climbed to a record high score of 77, up from 74 in Q2 2019. Half of all contractors expect revenue increases over the next year, rising 14 points quarter-over-quarter. Also, notably higher is the expectation for profit margins to increase in the next year, which grew by 12 points between Q2 and Q3 2019. The majority (58%) of contractors report they are highly confident that the next 12 months will bring sufficient business opportunities, a six-point growth over Q2. This is the largest percentage in the last … Read more

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New Era of Data Use Emerging in Construction 

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A new report released today by Dodge Data & Analytics, in collaboration with construction management software provider Viewpoint, a Trimble company, reveals a sea change in the way project data is gathered and analyzed across the construction industry—change that is poised to improve key project outcomes according to construction managers, specialty trade contractors and design/build firms surveyed. Tied to increased technology use and advancements, 64% of those who participated in the report said that their ability to gather and analyze data has improved or improved significantly. The report, titled Improving Performance with Project Data SmartMarket Report: How Improved Collection and Analysis is leading … Read more

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Dodge Momentum Index Dips in April

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The Dodge Momentum Index fell 0.5% in April to 144.3 (2000=100) from the revised March reading of 145.1. The momentum index, issued by Dodge Data & Analytics, 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 retreat in April was the result of the commercial component falling 1% while the institutional component rose a scant 0.2%. The momentum index has clearly lost some impetus over the last 12 months. The overall momentum index is down 8.5% since … Read more

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