Steel Markets

Dodge Momentum Index Dips in April (Upward Momentum Trend Continues)
Written by Sandy Williams
May 5, 2017
The Dodge Momentum Index slipped 5.1 percentage points in April to a reading of 133.8. Institutional planning fell 12 percent while commercial construction planning gained only 0.1 percent.
Dodge Data & Analytics sees April’s decline as part of a sawtooth pattern that has been prevalent since early 2016.
Said Dodge regarding the April findings, “Despite April’s decline, the broad upward trend for the Momentum Index remains present, suggesting that construction activity still has further room to grow in 2017. The planning data’s strengthening over the past year stands in stark contrast to the 2014-2015 period, when the Momentum Index saw little improvement, gaining just 4.0% in that 24-month span.”
Six projects exceeding $100 million entered the planning stage in April.
The Dodge Momentum Index, published by Dodge Data & Analytics, is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which has been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year.
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Markets
Market sources say regional activity is dictating plate demand
Demand for plate on the spot market remains soft by comparison to years past. However, this week regional demand variations grew more pronounced.
AISI: Raw steel production bounces back
Domestic mill production rebounded last week, according to the latest production figures released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Production had been historically strong over the summer months before softening in early October.
US sets Section 232 tariffs on trucks and buses
Medium- and heavy-duty trucks (MHDV) and buses imported to the US will start being charged Section 232 tariffs beginning Nov. 1.
Hot-rolled sources say demand continues to dwindle, prices feel arbitrary
Genuine demand, they stated, will return when the market feels stable again.
FabArc Steel Supply completes projects in Mississippi, Georgia
FabArc Steel Supply announced this week the completion of two large-scale projects in Georgia and Mississippi.
