Economy

Dodge Momentum Index Declines for 3rd Month
Written by Sandy Williams
October 14, 2014
The Dodge Momentum Index, a monthly measure of initial reports for nonresidential building projects in planning, fell 0.7 percent from August to a reading of 115.8 for September. The index rose 13 percent in the first half of this year but has been down in the past three months by a combined percentage of 7 percent.
“Despite these setbacks, the Momentum Index remains 8% higher than a year ago, indicating that to this point the upward trend for nonresidential building projects at the planning stage is still present,” wrote McGraw Hill in its monthly report.
Commercial building plans declined 0.8 percent in September and institutional building plans were down 0.4 percent.
The Dodge Momentum Index, published monthly by McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial, leads construction spending by a full year and can be used an indicator for future construction. Any reading above 100, established for year 2000, indicates growth in construction planning.
Below is an interactive graphic of the Dodge Momentum Index, but it can only be seen when you are logged into the website and reading the newsletter online. If you need any assistance logging in or navigating the website, contact us at: info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or 800-432-3475.
{amchart id=”125″ Dodge Momentum Index}

Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Economy

ArcelorMittal plans wire-drawing closure in Hamilton, shifts production to Montreal
ArcelorMittal’s (AM) Hamilton location to be shuttered, wire production shifting to Montreal.
Beige Book finds growing economic, policy uncertainty
All districts reported "hesitancy and a cautious approach to business and household decisions,” according to the Beige Book.

ISM: Manufacturing continues to contract in May
May marks the third consecutive month US manufacturing activity declined, according to supply executives contributing to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM)’s latest report.

Chicago PMI decreases 4.1 points in May
The Chicago Business Barometer reports that decreases in new orders, order backlogs, and softer production pulled the index down by 4.1-points to 40.5, in May.

Architecture firms struggle through April
For the third month in a row, architecture firms reported a reduction in billings through April, according to the latest Architecture Billings Index release.