Economy

Dodge Momentum Index Up 0.8 Percent in April

May 8, 2015

The Dodge Momentum Index rose a slight 0.8 percent in April to a reading of 122.6, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. Construction planning activity has been up and down in early 2015 but is higher than a year ago. In comparison, the April Index is 8.5 percent higher than April 2014.

Planning for the commercial sector is benefitting from higher rents and improved occupancy rates. Passage of bond measures is helping to grow the institutional sector.

Both sectors made modest gains in April. Commercial planning rose by 0.5 percent with the initiation of two large hotel projects and a $100 million warehouse and office building project.

Institutional planning rose 1.2 percent with three projects valued at $100 million-plus beginning the planning phase.

The Dodge Momentum Index, published by Dodge Data & Analytics, is a monthly measure of the initial report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year.

SMU Note: Richard Branch, Senior Economist at Dodge Data & Analytics will be one of our speakers at the 5th Steel Summit Conference in Atlanta, Georgia on September 1 & 2, 2015. We are offering early bird discounts of $200 per person for those registering for the conference prior to July 1, 2015. Go to our website: www.SteelMarketUpdate.com for more details and registration or you are welcome to contact our office at: 800-432-3475.

Below is an interactive graphic of the Dodge Momentum Index History, but it can only be seen when you are logged into the website and reading the newsletter online. If you need any assistance logging in or navigating the website, contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or 800-432-3475.

{amchart id=”125″ Dodge Momentum Index}