Wells Fargo Reports: Dodge Momentum Index Tumbles in September

The Dodge Momentum Index slipped 4.3 percent in September, from an upwardly-revised August reading. By sector, weakness was broad-based with commercial and institutional declining on the month.

Nonresidential Planning Trend Remains Favorable

• The Dodge Momentum Index fell 4.3 percent in September to 129.0; this reading comes on the heels of five sequential months of gains. Despite the volatility, the index is trending higher and is up 5.1 percent year over year. According to Dodge Data & Analytics, the favorable trend in planning activity suggests that developers are moving forward notwithstanding political and economic headwinds, which bodes well for nonresidential construction spending.

Broad-Based Softness by Sector

• Commercial and institutional planning declined in September, down 3.6 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively. The weak monthly reading is likely payback from the influx of large projects in August. On a year-ago basis, commercial and institutional are up about 5 percent, but the pace marks a deceleration from double-digit gains posted in recent months. Five notable projects with a value over $100 million entered the planning stage in September, which is down from 14 in August.