Strong Start To 2017 For DMI
February 9, 2017
The new year is off to a good start with the Dodge Momentum Index rising 3.9 percent in January.
The Momentum Index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning. These reports have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year.
Institutional planning advanced by more than 12 percent, offsetting a 1 percent drop in commercial planning. Even with the decline in commercial planning, that sector remains near an eight-year high, which according to Dodge, “suggests that commercial building will see renewed strength in 2017.”
Dodge went on to say that despite volatility over the past two years, “institutional planning projects trended higher through the end of 2016, which provides some optimism for institutional building activity in 2017.”
In other economic news, construction employment jumped, too. Employment in construction rose by 36,000 in January, following little change in December. Over the past 12 months, construction has added 170,000 jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Architectural Billings Index Ends 2016 On High Note
January 23, 2017
The Architectural Billings Index bid a sweet farewell to 2016, with December’s 55.9 reading showing a sharp increase from November’s 50.6 and reflecting a third consecutive month of growth in design billings.
Since design services typically lead to new projects, …
Dodge Momentum Index at Eight-Year High
January 10, 2017
The Dodge Momentum Index jumped in December to end the year on an eight-year high.
The Momentum Index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning. They have been shown to lead …
Architecture Billings Index Advances In November
December 21, 2016
For the second month in a row, the Architecture Billings Index showed a small increase in demand for design services.
Following the contraction revealed in August and September’s Index readings, November’s 50.6 showed little change from October’s 50.8.
The …
More Good News On The Economic Front
December 8, 2016
For the tenth time in the past 12 months, the Dodge Momentum Index advanced, rising 0.3 percent in November.
The Momentum Index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning. These reports …
Glass-Maker Guardian Industries Acquired by Koch Industries
November 22, 2016
Monday’s acquisition of Guardian Industries Corp. by KGIC Merger Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industries, portends well for the industry.
Michael Collins, managing director with Building Industry Advisors LLC in Chicago, told the US Glass News Network that …
Slight Jump for Architecture Billings Index
November 17, 2016
The Architecture Billing Index (ABI) showed renewed life in October after staggering through consecutive months of decline for the first time in four years.
The ABI, considered a leading economic indicator, reflects the lead time between architecture billings and construction, …
Construction Planning Rebounds in October
November 8, 2016
Construction planning rebounded in October as the Dodge Momentum Index climbed 4.1 percent from its revised September reading.
The Index, according to Dodge, is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning. These …
ABI Shows Further Contraction
October 19, 2016
The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) slipped again in September, marking the first time in more than four years that the ABI reflected a decline in demand for design services in back-to-back months.
The ABI, considered a leading indicator of construction …
Dodge Momentum Index Suffers September Slip
October 10, 2016
The Dodge Momentum Index slipped 4.3 percent in September with weakness reflected in both the commercial and institutional sectors.
The index, from Dodge Data & Analytics, is a monthly measure of the first report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which …