economics
Index up due to commercial, institutional building plans
The Dodge Momentum Index measuring the first report for nonresidential building projects in planning increased by 1.2 percent in December compared with the previous month, according to McGraw Hill Construction. December’s gain brought the momentum index to 118.3, the highest… Keep Reading
Aggregates sales forecast to rise nearly 6 percent annually
Worldwide sales of construction aggregates are forecast to expand 5.8 percent per year to 53.2 billion metric tons, according to The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based industry market research firm. Aggregates demand is expected to specifically rebound in North America and… Keep Reading
Higher confidence leads to increase in home building
Nationwide housing production rose nearly 23 percent in November to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.09 million, according to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. “Builders are increasingly confident that… Keep Reading
Nonresidential, nonbuilding construction down
New construction starts in November fell 11 percent from the previous month, according to McGraw Hill Construction. The downturn followed heightened activity in October, which, according to the firm, showed the strongest pace for construction starts during 2013. Both nonresidential… Keep Reading
Crushed stone, sand and gravel consumption increase
An estimated 367 million metric tons (Mt) of crushed stone was produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the third quarter of 2013, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). This is an 8 percent increase compared… Keep Reading
Nonresidential building growth highest in years, Index shows
The Dodge Momentum Index, a monthly measure of the first report for nonresidential building projects in planning, rose 2.8 percent in November compared with the previous month, McGraw Hill Construction says. November’s increase brought the momentum index to 117.9, as… Keep Reading
Firm: Political infighting, uncertainty slowing nonresidential construction
FMI, a management consulting and investment-banking firm with an index that measures nonresidential construction growth, released its latest report that shows a 2.9-percent fourth-quarter drop for the category. FMI gave the fourth quarter a score of 57.4 on its Nonresidential… Keep Reading
U.S. cement consumption to reach nearly 80 million tons
Growth in U.S. construction markets could be dampened by Congressional drama that erodes consumer confidence and hinders recovery, according to the latest forecast from the Portland Cement Association (PCA). "American consumers love drama. Moreover, Congress knows how to create it,… Keep Reading
ARTBA forecasts moderate 2014 growth for infrastructure
The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) is forecasting that the overall U.S. transportation infrastructure construction market will grow 5 percent from $129 billion this year to $135.8 billion in 2014. Alison Premo Black, ARTBA's chief economist, said the… Keep Reading
