The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Dodge Construction Network, grew 3.7% in May to 211.2 (2000=100) from the downwardly revised April reading of 203.5. Over the month, commercial planning grew 0.8% while institutional planning improved 10.5%. “Nonresidential planning continued to accelerate in May, primarily driven by strong project activity on the institutional side of the DMI,” stated Sarah Martin,…
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Construction Spending Down, Highways Up in April
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, construction spending during April 2025 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,152.4 billion, 0.4% (±0.7%) below the revised March estimate of $2,162.0 billion. The April figure is 0.5% (±1.2%) below the April 2024 estimate of $2,163.2 billion. During the first four months of this year, construction spending amounted to $660.2 billion,…
Read MoreNew Home Sales up 10.9% in April
Sales of newly built, single-family homes in April increased 10.9% to a 743,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate from a downwardly revised March number, according to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. The pace of new home sales in April was up 3.3% compared to a year earlier. It takes…
Read MoreConstruction Starts Down 9% in April
Total construction starts were down 9% in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.03 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonresidential building starts declined 3%, residential starts fell 4%, while nonbuilding starts decreased 22%.
Read MoreSingle-Family Starts Down on Economic, Tariff Uncertainty
Economic uncertainty stemming from tariff issues, elevated mortgage rates and rising building material costs pushed single-family housing starts lower in April. Overall housing starts increased 1.6% in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.36 million units, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. The April reading of…
Read MoreSullivan Notes Economic Risks
According to cement industry economist Ed Sullivan, of The Sullivan Report, all forecasts contain risk. Risks can originate from the data used, the process of calculations, the assumptions, or a combination of each element. Indeed, an infinite number of alternative scenarios to the Baseline exist – each materializes with even small changes in assumptions. The risks surrounding the Spring Forecast…
Read MoreDodge Momentum Index Grows 0.9%
The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Dodge Construction Network, grew 0.9% in April to 205.1 (2000=100) from the downwardly revised March reading of 203.1. Over the month, commercial planning grew 3.3% while institutional planning fell 4.2%. “Despite an uptick in April, the bulk of the DMI’s growth was driven by a surge in data center planning, while momentum in…
Read MoreConstruction Spending Down Slightly in March
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, construction spending during March 2025 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,196.1 billion, 0.5% (±0.8%) below the revised February estimate of $2,206.9 billion. The March figure is 2.8% (±1.2%) above the March 2024 estimate of $2,135.8 billion. During the first three months of this year, construction spending amounted to $485.7 billion,…
Read MoreNew Home Sales Rise 7.4%
A modest decline in mortgage rates and lean existing inventory helped boost new home sales in March even as builders and consumers contend with uncertain market conditions. Sales of newly built, single-family homes in March increased 7.4% to a 724,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate from a revised January number, according to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing…
Read MoreConstruction Starts Rise in March
Total construction starts were up 3% in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.1 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonresidential building starts grew 6%, residential starts decreased 5%, while nonbuilding starts increased 9%. Highway and bridge starts decreased 10%. On a year-to-date basis through March, total construction starts were down 1% from last year. Nonresidential starts were…
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