Steel Markets
Dodge Momentum Index Loses September Gain
Written by Sandy Williams
November 11, 2015
Although the Dodge Momentum Index has been on a generally upward trend this year, it has been a roller coaster ride. The Index took a large leap of 5.2 percent in September which was nearly reversed by a decline of 4.8 percent in October. Both commercial building and institutional building indexes declined last month by 5.0 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively.
Dodge says month-to-month volatility is “reminiscent of this sectors’ upturn in the early stages of its prior recovery back in the previous decade.”
Eight projects, valued above $100 million, entered the planning stage in October. In the commercial sector, a $500 million-mixed use facility at Mall of American in Minnesota and a $151 million warehouse/distribution complex in Newark, NJ, began the planning stage. The leading projects in the institutional sector were hospitals in Washington DC and Bethesda, MD.
The Dodge Momentum Index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year.
Below is a graph showing the history of the Dodge Momentum Index. You will need to view the graph on our website to use it’s interactive features, you can do so by clicking here. If you need assistance with either logging in or navigating the website, please contact our office at 800-432-3475 or info@SteelMarketUpdate.com.
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Markets
USW cheers Evraz NA agreement with Atlas Holdings
The United Steelworkers (USW) labor union celebrated recent news of the signed agreement between Atlas Holdings and Evraz NA in which the Connecticut-based private equity company said it plans to acquire North America’s Evraz facilities.
Steel buyer spirits tempered by soft spot market conditions
Steel sheet buyers report feeling bogged down by the ongoing stresses of stagnant demand, news fatigue, tariff negotiations or implementation timelines, and persistent macroeconomic uncertainty.
Hot-rolled coil buyers continue seeking certainty
Steel market participants contend that buyers will remain in “wait-and-see" mode until some market stability is restored.
Latin American steel advocates warn on cheap import flood
Subsidized Chinese steel imports and cheap steel products from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) entering Latin American (LATAM) are threatening the region's steel market.
CRU: Steel prices fall amid global demand weakness
The forceful headwinds bearing down on steel markets across the globe have created demand challenges and sent prices southward. The US, however, challenged the global trend.