economics
USGS reports second quarter increases in crushed stone production
An estimated 316 million metric tons of crushed stone were produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the second quarter of 2012, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The 316 million is a slight increase compared… Keep Reading
Here we go again
After spending the first half of this year at the top of our news pages, the story of Martin Marietta Materials’ bid for Vulcan Materials had fallen from the spotlight. Well, it’s back. When a judge put a four-month hold… Keep Reading
U.S. construction equipment exports up 24 percent
Exports of U.S.-made construction equipment grew 24 percent and totaled $13.7 billion for the first half of 2012 compared to January-June 2011, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). The off-road equipment manufacturing trade group consolidates U.S. Commerce Dept.… Keep Reading
Dodge Momentum Index slips
The Dodge Momentum Index retreated 1.4 percent in August compared to July, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. The Momentum Index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in… Keep Reading
Second quarter aggregate production up considerably
Preliminary numbers from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) suggest aggregate production rose sharply in the second quarter. Increases in domestic production for crushed stone, sand and gravel were substantial compared to production in the first quarter of 2012, primarily owing… Keep Reading
Nonresidential building scene showing improvement
The Dodge Momentum Index, a monthly measure of the first report for nonresidential building projects in planning, climbed 8.1 percent in July after retreating a revised 2.4 percent in June, according to McGraw-Hill Construction. The momentum index for July came… Keep Reading
The crazy task of reporting quarterly numbers
My wife works at a newspaper, and she was telling me that a young business reporter had written a long story about a local bank's second-quarter earnings -- taking all of the information directly from the bank's earnings report. The… Keep Reading
Cement consumption expected to exceed earlier expectations
The Portland Cement Association (PCA) has nearly doubled its expected 2012 cement consumption figures in a revised forecast that reflects the favorable weather much of the United States has had, gains in residential and nonresidential construction activity, and gains in… Keep Reading
Construction spending at highest level in 36 months
Construction spending in June rose to a 2 ½-year high as double-digit percentage increases in private residential and nonresidential construction offset an ongoing downturn in public construction, according to an analysis of new federal data released by the Associated General… Keep Reading
