The Dodge Momentum Index rose 2.4% in January to 126.4 from its December reading of 123.4. The increase in January was the result of a 3.3% increase in institutional projects and a 1.6% increase in commercial projects. On a year-over-year basis, the overall Index is 1.7% higher even though the commercial portion is down 6.8%.
Commercial planning intentions started 2015 on an aggressive note before settling back by mid-year. Over the most recent few months commercial planning has been following a saw tooth pattern, but the overall trend has been positive as most commercial real estate fundamentals are improving.
The institutional index, on the other hand, started 2015 on a weak note but improved throughout the year and is now 14% higher than one year ago.
In January, 10 projects entered planning with a value that exceeded $100 million. For the commercial building sector, the leading projects were a $270 million convention center hotel in San Diego and a $140 millionoffice and retail building in Atlanta.
For the institutional building sector, the leading projects were a $160 million renovation and addition at a USDA lab in Athens, Ga., and a $150 million hospital expansion in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The 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.
