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