Economy
Dodge Momentum Index Ticks Up in October
Written by Becca Moczygemba
November 7, 2023
The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) increased in October thanks to stronger commercial activity, according to the latest Dodge Construction Network (DCN) data.
The DMI improved 1% to 181.7 from September’s revised reading of 180.3, but was 8% lower than the same time last year.
“Heightened momentum in warehouse planning activity supported the commercial side of the Index this month, while muted education planning activity slowed the institutional portion,” Sarah Martin, associate director of forecasting for Dodge Construction Network, said in a statement. “Overall levels of planning activity remain robust and will support construction spending over the next 12 to 18 months.”
Despite strong growth in September, education and healthcare activity slowed in October, DCN said. Advancements in warehouse planning helped commercial growth, it noted.
Month over month, the commercial segment of the DMI increased 2%, while the institutional component fell 1.4%, DCN said. The commercial portion was down 14% year over year, and the institutional area rose 7%

Dodge is the leading index for commercial real estate, using the data of planned nonresidential building projects to track spending in the important steel consuming sector for the next 12 months. An interactive history of the DMI is available on our website.

Becca Moczygemba
Read more from Becca MoczygembaLatest in Economy

Fewer manufacturers optimistic about the economy
PMA’s April report shows that only 16% of surveyed manufacturers anticipate an increase in economic activity in the next three months (down from 23% in March)

Architecture billings continue to slide in March
Architecture firms said billings continued to decline in March, according to the latest Architecture Billings Index (ABI) released by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Deltek.

Beige Book shows concerns about trade policy
Manufacturing was mixed, but two-thirds of districts said activity was little changed or had declined.

New York state manufacturing index drops again in April
Firms were pessimistic, with the future general business conditions index falling to its second lowest reading in the more than 20-year history of the survey

Construction adds 13,000 jobs in March
The construction sector added 13,000 jobs, seasonally adjusted, in March, but tariffs could undermine the industry.