NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Dodge Momentum Index increased 2.9 percent in December to 136.7 (2000=100) from its revised November reading of 132.8. 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. After trending upward over the course of 2016, the index is now at an eight-year high, although still more than 25 percent below its previous peak reached at the end of 2007. December’s gain was due to a 5.7 percent increase in the … Read more

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Dodge Momentum Index grew 4.1 percent in October to 133.6 from its revised September reading of 128.3 (2000=100). 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. October’s gain nearly reversed the loss in September, and returns the Momentum Index to the rising trend that began earlier in the year. The commercial component of the Momentum Index rose 6.1 percent in October, and is 20 percent above last year. This suggests … Read more