Dodge Momentum Index Continues Ascent in August

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NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Dodge Momentum Index grew 1.3 percent in August to 134.9 (2000=100), from its revised July reading of 133.2. 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. The move higher in August was the result of a 1.7 percent increase from July for institutional planning, as well as a 1 percent gain for commercial planning. August is the fifth consecutive month that the momentum index has increased, marking the longest … Read more

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Nonresidential Construction Growth on Pace with Strong July Jobs Report

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. construction industry has rebounded strongly, adding 14,000 net new jobs in July according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data recently released by Associated Builders and Contractors. This gain comes after the construction sector lost a combined 27,000 jobs from April to June. The construction industry’s unemployment rate inched lower in July, shedding a tenth of a percentage point to reach 4.5 percent, the industry’s lowest unemployment rate since October 2006. The nonresidential sector accounted for a majority of July’s gains, adding 11,500 net new jobs. The residential sector remained stagnant for the … Read more

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Dodge Momentum Index Increases in April

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NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Dodge Momentum Index rose 0.6 percent in April to 116.5 from its revised March reading of 115.8 (2000=100). 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. April’s gain was due to increased planning activity for both commercial and institutional building, with commercial planning moving 0.8 percent higher and institutional planning rising 0.4 percent. Over the last eight months institutional planning has been on somewhat of a roller coaster ride … Read more

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CMD Predicts Continued Improvement for Q2 Nonresidential Construction

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ATLANTA, Ga. – U.S. construction starts increased 7.4 percent, higher than expected in the first quarter of 2016. On the heels of a 5.8 percent gain in 2015, nonresidential starts are tracking positively for the second quarter, according to CMD’s latest quarterly forecast report. The forecast, which combines CMD’s proprietary data with macroeconomic factors, expects a total year-over-year dollar volume increase of 7.4 percent this year, which is slightly higher than the 6.5 percent increase that was expected in the Q1 forecast. Nonresidential building structures that will see the fastest percentage gains in 2016 include office buildings, transportation terminals and … Read more

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