The Dodge Momentum Index increased by 0.9 percent in March to 144.4 (2000 = 100) from its revised February reading of 143.2. The Momentum Index, produced by Dodge Data & Analytics, a construction project data, analytics, and insights provider, 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.
The Momentum Index has risen for six consecutive months, with much of the gain being driven by institutional projects entering planning while commercial projects so far in 2017 have receded slightly. The institutional portion of the Momentum Index rose 3.7 percent in March, and is 23 percent higher than it was at the end of 2016. Meanwhile, commercial planning fell 1.2 percent in March and is down 2.9 percent from December 2016.
However, the overall Momentum Index, as well as the commercial and institutional components, are well above their year-ago levels. This continues to signal the potential for increased construction activity in 2017 despite the short-term setbacks that are inherent in the volatile month-to-month planning data.
In March, eight U.S. projects entered planning, each with a value that exceeded $100 million. For the commercial building sector, the leading projects were the $200 million Universal Orlando Resort in Florida and a $150 million office building in Clayton, Missouri. The leading institutional project was a $500 million medical complex in Chicago.
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* TREPP-i Survey Loan Spreads levels are based on a survey of balance sheet lenders. For more information, visit Trepp.com.
