Steel Markets

Dodge Momentum Index Retreats in August
Written by Sandy Williams
September 11, 2018
The Dodge Momentum Index fell 2.9 percent in August to a reading of 164.1. The Momentum index is a monthly measure of the initial report for nonresidential building projects in planning.
Commercial construction led the decrease, falling by 6.1 percent after rising 25 percent in the first seven months of 2018.
“While commercial planning did fall in August, the trend remains positive, fueled by strong economic growth and still-healthy real estate fundamentals,” said Dodge Analytics.
The growth rate for projects in planning for institutional building was more restrained. From January through July, institutional projects in planning rose 11 percent and gained another 2.5 percent in August.
Nine projects with a value of $100 million or more entered the planning stage in August.
The 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

Trading firms Mercuria and Tata International partner in joint venture
Geneva-based global commodities trader Mercuria is set to acquire a majority stake in Tata International, according to a report in India's Economic Times.
Glenfarne Alaska LNG and POSCO ink preliminary partnership
Glenfarne Alaska LNG and POSCO signed a preliminary strategic agreement during the GasTech Conference in Milan on Thursday.

Steel export volumes remain weak through July
Following a 3% decline in June, the amount of steel shipped outside of the US edged up 1% in July to 623,000 short tons. July was the sixth-lowest monthly export rate since the COVID-19 pandemic, and...

Hot-rolled market participants say ‘doldrums’ to roll on through year-end
Participants in the hot-rolled steel sheet market expect the market to remain subdued through the end of the year.

Market says cutting interest rates will spur stalled domestic plate demand
Market sources say demand for domestic plate refuses to budge despite stagnating prices.