Sunny Outlook Continues for Nonresidential Construction

September 9, 2016

The Dodge Momentum Index climbed again in August, marking its fifth consecutive monthly advance and matching its longest streak since a five-month march spanning the end of 2012 through the beginning of 2013.

The Momentum Index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year.

August’s climb of 1.3 percent means the Index has increased 15.6 percent above the same month a year ago, with institutional planning up 22 percent and commercial planning up 11 percent.

During August, institutional planning grew by 1.7 percent, while commercial planning grew by 1 percent.

According to Dodge, the ongoing increases bode well for nonresidential construction spending.

Meanwhile, construction employment numbers were unchanged in August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly summary.

July ABI Points To Continued Construction Growth

August 23, 2016

Despite a slight dip in July, the Architecture Billings Index stayed positive for the sixth consecutive month, suggesting continued growth in the construction sector.
The Index, a leading economic indicator of construction activity, reflects monthly surveys of AIA member firms …

Dodge Momentum Index Inches Forward In July

August 8, 2016

The Dodge Momentum Index increased slightly during the month of July, marking the fourth consecutive month of increases and the first such four-month streak since 2014.
The Index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential …

PPG Sells Assets of Flat Glass Business to Vitro

July 22, 2016

PPG yesterday announced that it is selling the assets of its flat glass manufacturing and glass coatings operations to Vitro, a Mexico-based manufacturer of flat glass and specialty products. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2016.
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June’s Architecture Billings Index Portends Continued Construction Growth

July 21, 2016

In a report released this week, the American Institute of Architects reported that architecture firm billings increased in June for the fifth consecutive month.
The Architecture Billings Index (ABI), released monthly by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), reflected additional …

Construction Spending Shows Continued Strength

July 8, 2016

The Dodge Momentum Index jumped 11.2 percent in June, thanks to a 14.6 percent increase in institutional projects and a 7.7 percent increase in pending commercial projects. With the advance, the overall Index is now at its highest level since …

May Brings Solid Jump for Architecture Billings Index

June 29, 2016

The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) registered its highest score in nearly a year in May, reflecting improving conditions in the design and construction industries.
According to the American Institute of Architects, the monthly ABI “is a leading indicator for nonresidential …

Construction Indicator Nudges Higher In May

June 9, 2016

For the construction industry, the good news keeps coming, as the Dodge Momentum Index rose 2.4 percent in May, riding a bump in activity in the commercial sector.
The Momentum Index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report …

Construction Planning Shows Slight Increase

May 10, 2016

April’s economic numbers offer additional encouragement, with the Dodge Momentum Index showing an uptick and the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s jobs numbers holding steady.
The Momentum Index, a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects …

Architectural Billing Index Shows Growth

May 2, 2016

The Architectural Billings Index (ABI), a leading indicator of construction activity, showed growth in March, with an ABI score of 51.9, up from February’s 50.3.
According to the AIA (American Institute of Architects) Economics & Market Research Group, the …