economics
Nonresidential drives Martin Marietta’s first quarter aggregates growth
Martin Marietta Materials Inc. released its first-quarter report April 29, touting net sales increases of 10 percent and increases in aggregate product line volumes. “Our first-quarter 2014 results reflect the continued economic momentum from 2013’s fourth quarter, as well as… Keep Reading
Construction picks up in March
New construction starts rose 7 percent in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $521.4 billion, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. Nonresidential building picked up the pace after its lackluster performance at the… Keep Reading
Dodge Momentum Index slips further in March
The Dodge Momentum Index measuring the first report for nonresidential building projects in planning retreated 0.8 percent in March compared with February, according to McGraw Hill Construction. The March index is at 113.8 – down from a revised 114.8 in… Keep Reading
Signs positive for growth in construction
FMI offered predictions for various construction markets this year upon releasing its Q1-2014 Construction Outlook. FMI predicts an 8 percent overall increase in construction-put-in-place for 2014, and the firm is anticipating continued growth over the next few years. Transportation, for… Keep Reading
February construction unchanged from previous month
New construction starts in February were about the same as January’s amount, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. After a strong finish to last year, the construction start statistics have shown lackluster activity during the… Keep Reading
Builder confidence remains flat
Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes rose one point to 47 on the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released March 17. “The March HMI mirrors last month’s sentiment, as builders… Keep Reading
Nonresidential building plans soften in February
The Dodge Momentum Index slipped 2.6 percent in February compared with the previous month, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. The momentum index is a monthly measure of the first report for nonresidential building projects… Keep Reading
Aggregate production up last quarter, for all of 2013
An estimated 292 million metric tons (Mt) of crushed stone were produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2013, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reports. That's an increase of 3 percent compared with… Keep Reading
Estimates can be taxing
Consider these tips for reducing the frustration of the estimated taxes process. It should come as no surprise that Uncle Sam wants taxes paid in full during the course of the year. Avoiding the penalties associated with guessing wrong about… Keep Reading
