The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by the US-based Dodge Construction Network, declined 0.9% in July to 193.4 (2000=100) from the revised June reading of 195.1. Over the month, the commercial component of the DMI remained relatively flat, ticking down 0.2%, while the institutional component fell 1.9%.
“While both segments of the Index fell this month, underlying project data points to divergent trends in the nonresidential sector,” said Sarah Martin, associate director of forecasting for Dodge Construction Network. “In comparison to January 2023, commercial [US] planning activity is down 10% through July, while institutional planning is up 16%. Distinctly large institutional projects entering planning in May temporarily inflated month-to-month trends, but activity has since ticked down. As we progress through the remainder of 2023, weaker commercial activity, resulting from tighter lending standards and higher interest rates, will counter sturdier institutional activity, bolstered by public funding and less sensitivity to interest rates.”
All US commercial sectors pulled back or remained flat over July. Hotel planning saw the largest month-over-month decay, marking four months of consecutive decline in the sector. July also saw a deceleration in the number of education and healthcare projects entering planning — the two largest institutional segments. While two sizable public projects entered planning and pushed activity in the sector to double-digit gains, it was not enough to push the institutional portion of the Index positive. The DMI remains 21% higher yearly than in July 2022. The commercial and institutional components were up 13% and 35%, respectively.
A total of 15 projects valued at $100 million or more entered planning in July. The largest US commercial projects to enter planning included the $400 million Kraft Heinz Distribution Center in DeKalb, Illinois and the $190 million PTC warehouse/distribution facility in San Antonio, Florida. The largest institutional projects to enter planning included the $240 million Lexington High School in Lexington, Massachusetts, the $216 million courthouse improvement project in San Luis Obispo, California, and the $200 million Solano Hall of Justice courthouse in Fairfield, California.
The DMI is a monthly measure of the initial report for nonresidential building projects in planning, shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year.
Watch Associate Director of Forecasting Sarah Martin discuss July’s DMI here.
