The Pulse (Fourth Quarter 2023 Edition)

By Allen-Villere PartnersThe Pulse and the AVP Pulse Index, are joint projects between mergers-and-acquisition advisors Allen-Villere Partners, and Rock Products. The Pulse appears quarterly in Rock Products, and the AVP Pulse Index appears monthly. The Federal Reserve has raised its benchmark rate 11 times to cool inflation, with the latest rate increase of 25- basis-points in July. This puts the federal funds target…

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First Look – September 2023

TOP NEWS The Rock Products Road Show The Rock Products Road Show – an “Economics + Equipment” informational session – rolled into Thompsonville, Mich., on July 21 for the Michigan Aggregates Association’s summer meeting, held at the Crystal Mountain Resort. The estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the first quarter of 2023 was…

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The AVP Pulse Index for July

July 24, 2023 – The AVP Pulse Index this month rose 3.1% month-over-month, while increasing 7.1% year-over-year.  The proprietary AVP Pulse Index – a joint effort between mergers and acquisition advisors Allen-Villere Partners, and Rock Products – illustrates the health of the industry in one single trend line, using relevant data that is updated monthly or quarterly. “The previously flattened curve of…

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The Promise of Artificial Intelligence

It was sometime in the late 1970s, but I remember the conversation, even the restaurant, very well. I was in my late 20s, and one of my friends who had migrated to New York after college and found a solid footing in Wall Street investment banking was back in his hometown of New Orleans, where several of our old friends…

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The Pulse: The Trend Continues

While the trend line remains relatively flat, two new metrics show strength in construction that, if they hold steady, could accelerate the return to growth, according to the latest edition of The Pulse, the quarterly economic report from Allen-Villere Partners and Rock Products. The Pulse is the construction-materials industry’s premier economic report, focusing on the most current data points; aggregates…

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The Biggest Wealth Transfer in History

As we mull over the prospect of a recession, which I am still convinced will not happen, it is significant to note there are some financial forces at play over the next several years that will have a huge, and positive, impact on our economy. As I have said in prior columns and to state and national association presentations for…

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The Aggregates Atlas

A Preview of the Powerful New Digital Tool brought to you by Rock Products and Burgex. Rock Products’ Aggregates Atlas is now an online digital tool for aggregates producers. The print version of this industry standard “maps” issue served our readers for more than 20 years, but we believed there was an opportunity to deliver a better product to the…

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The AVP Pulse Index for April

April 20, 2023 – The AVP Pulse Index for April – brought to you by Rock Products and Allen-Villere Partners – ticked up slightly by +0.6%, maintaining the steady flattening observed a couple of months ago, and where we believe the index will remain for the foreseeable future. This increase reflects a healthy Construction Materials Industry and demonstrates the start of an…

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The Pulse: No Recession Up Ahead

Business leaders across all sectors, including construction materials, are still navigating the tough environment of high inflation and labor shortages. But materials price increases and a construction backlog bode well for the market, according to the latest edition of The Pulse, the quarterly economic report from Allen-Villere Partners and Rock Products.

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