March Construction Starts Surge 16 Percent

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New construction starts in March advanced 16% from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $809.2 billion, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. The substantial gain followed a lackluster performance during the first two months of 2019, as total construction starts in March were able to climb back to a level slightly above the average monthly pace during 2018. The March data produced a reading of 171 for the Dodge Index (2000=100), up from 148 in February, and 1% higher than the full year 2018 average for the Dodge Index at 170. At the same time, the Dodge Index … Read more

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Dodge Momentum Index Inches Higher in March

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The Dodge Momentum Index increased 0.5% in March to 145.5 (2000=100) from the revised February reading of 144.8. 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 March uptick was due to a 2.8% increase in the commercial component of the momentum index, while the institutional component fell 3%. The overall momentum index has essentially moved sideways and stayed within a very narrow band of activity since the … Read more

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New Findings on Contractor Use of Safety Best Practices Released

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A new report from CPWR and Dodge Data & Analytics, “Contractor Use of Best Safety Practices,” summarizes the results of two recent surveys that explored topics such as how frequently contractors engage in selected safety practices, differences between large-, small- and medium-sized contractors and use of Lean construction. In the case of Lean construction, the report found that familiarity with the concept has grown considerably. In 2013, when contractors were first surveyed about this concept, only 52% said they were familiar with Lean construction compared to 71% today. As shown in the accompanying chart, this report also found that contractors … Read more

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Dodge Momentum Index Recovers in January

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The Dodge Momentum Index rose 4.7 percent in January to 157.7 (2000=100) from the revised December reading of 150.6. 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. January’s increase reflected similar gains for the two components of the momentum index – institutional building, up 5.0 percent; and commercial building, up 4.6 percent. The January increase essentially reverses December’s decline, and brings the overall momentum index back to November’s … Read more

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New Construction Starts in December Decline 10%

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NEW YORK, N.Y. – New construction starts in December fell 10 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $708.9 billion, continuing to retreat after November’s 7 percent slide, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. The December downturn reflected diminished activity for each of the three main construction sectors. Nonresidential building dropped 14 percent, as its commercial building segment lost momentum following its heightened November amount. Residential building pulled back 8 percent, due to reduced activity in December for both single-family and multifamily housing. Nonbuilding construction decreased 9 percent, with a steep plunge by the electric utility/gas plant category that … Read more

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