economics
Ever-increasing demand
In his personal blog, The Gates Notes, Microsoft founder Bill Gates cites some incredible statistics. Perhaps the most amazing is that China has used more cement (much more) in the last three years than the United States used in the… Keep Reading
Dodge Momentum Index remains strong in May
The Dodge Momentum Index, which measures the first report for nonresidential building projects being planning, gained 2 percent in May compared with April’s strong figures, says McGraw Hill Construction. The index is on an upswing following the downward trend shown… Keep Reading
Budgeting for profits
Budgets are almost essential for every business and can help aggregate producers plan for a prosperous future. Successful aggregate producers usually develop budgets to monitor progress toward their goals, help control spending and predict cash flow and profit. In other… Keep Reading
FMI cautiously optimistic on construction growth
FMI says e-commerce is affecting construction growth, according to its latest construction outlook. The company’s Construction Outlook Report Q2 2014 shows cautiously optimistic growth, as the forecast has been lowered a percent since the Q1 2014 report. FMI now predicts… Keep Reading
US aggregates production up during first quarter
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) says U.S. production of crushed stone and construction sand and gravel rose during the first quarter of this year, compared with the same period last year. In 2014, an estimated 222 million metric tons of… Keep Reading
April construction advances 3 percent
New construction starts in April rose 3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $533.7 billion, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. The increase maintained the upward movement established in March, which followed sluggish… Keep Reading
More growth for nonresidential construction but industry still hesitant
FMI's Nonresidential Construction Index report for the second quarter of this year shows slight improvement in the nonresidential sector compared with the first quarter of this year, as well as the second quarter of last year. The index jumped 0.9… Keep Reading
Nonresidential building plans see spike in April
The Dodge Momentum Index measuring the first report for nonresidential building projects in planning advanced 8.4 percent in April to 123.0, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. The momentum index had retreated in February and… Keep Reading
Vulcan posts first-quarter gains
Vulcan Materials Co. released its 2014 first-quarter results, revealing total revenue for its aggregates business segment was up 13 percent and gross profit increased 55 percent compared with last year. "Our aggregates business reported solid growth in the first quarter… Keep Reading
