The Dodge Momentum Index, or DMI issued by Dodge Construction Network, increased by 3.8 percent in November to 207.2 from the revised October reading of 199.6. During the month, the DMI continued its steady ascent, with the commercial component rising 4.3 percent, and the institutional component ticking up 2.7 percent.
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.
The specifics
Commercial planning experienced a healthy increase in hotel and data center projects and modest growth in stores and office projects. While education and healthcare projects slowed in November, the institutional component remained net-positive alongside a robust increase in planning projects for government administrative buildings and religious facilities. On a year-over-year basis, the DMI was 25 percent higher than in November 2021, the commercial component was up 28 percent, and institutional planning was 21 percent higher.
A total of 21 projects with a value of $100 million or more entered planning in November. The leading commercial projects included two $500 million segments of a Facebook data center in Sandston, Virginia, and the $400 million Sunset Industrial Park warehouse in Sunset Park, New York. The leading institutional projects comprised of the $185 million Hollywood Casino relocation in Joliet, Illinois, and the $160 million Smith County courthouse in Tyler, Texas.
What Dodge is saying
“The Momentum Index continued to rise in November, conveying hopefulness from owners and developers that the construction sector will endure the possible economic slowdown next year,” says Sarah Martin, senior economist for Dodge Construction Network. “The rate of increase in the DMI, however, has steadied over the month. Labor and supply shortages, high material costs, and high interest rates could temper planning activity over the next 12 months to a more modest pace.”
