Steel Markets
Dodge Momentum Index: 2021 a Strong Year for Construction
Written by Brett Linton
January 13, 2022
The Dodge Momentum Index declined 3% in December to a reading of 166.4, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. Though the year ended on a down note, 2021 was a good one for construction with the index rising by 23%, its strongest annual gain in 15 years.
Both components of the construction index also declined from November to December, with commercial planning down 4% to 196.7 and institutional planning down 1% to 128.9. But on an annual basis, the commercial and institutional components reached multi-year highs of 13 and 14 years, respectively.
“The signals provided by the Dodge Momentum Index continue to suggest that construction activity will improve in 2022 — and, more importantly, that this growth will be more balanced than what was seen in 2021. However, the ever-present risks of the pandemic and tight labor force will work to counter these trends, leading to moderate growth over the new year,” the research firm said.
The Dodge Momentum Index is a key advance indicator of nonresidential construction demand, leading construction spending by as much as a year.
An interactive history of the Dodge Momentum Index is available here on our website; an example is shown below. If you need assistance logging into or navigating the website, please contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com.
Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Steel Markets
Fitch warns more tariffs will pressure global commodity markets
“New commodity-specific tariffs, mainly on steel and aluminum products, could widen price differentials and divert trade flows,” the credit agency forewarned.
Slowing data center, warehouse planning drives decline in Dodge index
The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) slid further in November as planning for data centers and warehouses continued to decline.
Latin America’s steel industry grapples with declining demand, rising imports
With climbing imports and falling consumption, the Latin American steel industry has had a challenging 2024, according to an Alacero report.
CRU: Trump tariffs could stimulate steel demand
Now that the dust has settled from the US election, as have the immediate reactions in the equity, bond, and commodity markets, this is a prime opportunity to look at how a second Trump presidency might affect the US steel market.
HVAC shipments slip in September but are still trending higher
Following a strong August, total heating and cooling equipment shipments eased in September to a five-month low, according to the latest data from the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).