flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Reed Expansion Index predicts widespread economic improvement for the year

Reed Expansion Index predicts widespread economic improvement for the year

Index shows expanding construction potential in 41 states plus the District of Columbia. 


By Reed Construction Data | January 24, 2014
Multiple factors are driving a positive prediction for commercial construction in 2014. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Reed Construction Data announced its December Expansion Index stood at 1.48, indicating overall construction in the United States is expected to grow over the next 12 months.

“The positive signs of growth are encouraging and align with other economic data,” said Bernard Markstein, U.S. Chief Economist, Reed Construction Data. “With an Expansion Index greater than 1 in 41 states plus the District of Columbia, the expected improvement in construction appears widespread across the country.” The top five states expected to see an expanding construction market: North Dakota, Rhode Island, Montana, Virginia, Utah.

The Expansion Index is a monthly measure of expectations for the construction marketplace over the upcoming 12-18 months, based on the value of projects in the planning pipeline. A reading greater than 1 indicates construction volume is expected to expand.

In addition to an overall measure of U.S. construction, Reed uses the Expansion Index to track expected construction volume for every state and more than 360 Metropolitan Statistical Areas.

According to Markstein, multiple factors are supporting the positive signal.

“Many pieces are falling into place for a moderately faster-growing economy,” stated Markstein. “Companies are experiencing rising demand. A federal budget deal was signed into law. Residential construction continues to improve. Europe is slowly working its way out of recession. These and other positives mean the Reed Expansion Index is likely to remain well above 1 for several months–an indication that construction activity will rise throughout the year.”

The Expansion Index is a ratio of the value of projects in the planning phase over the value of the projects estimated to be still under construction in a defined geography and/or building segment. The relationship says if more in the pipeline than underway, the volume will increase in the future if that ratio is greater than 1. The data covered includes non-residential and multifamily residential construction.

To view the Expansion Index, visit www.reedconstructiondata.com/market-intelligence/expansion-index.

20 Fastest-growing MSAs
MSA EI rating
Duluth, MN-WI
Durham, NC
El Centro, CA
Evansville, IN-KY
Flagstaff, AZ
Flint, MI
Grand Forks, ND-MN
Greenville, NC
Laredo, TX
Logan, UT-ID
Missoula, MT
Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI
Providence-New Bedford-Fall River, RI-MA
Salem, OR
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Clarksville, TN-KY
VA Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
Columbia, MO
Baton Rouge, LA
Greensboro-High Point, NC
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
  >10
      9.56
      7.75
      7.67
      6.91
      6.77

 

About Reed Construction Data

Reed Construction Data is a trusted source for detailed, accurate, and up-to-date information on private and public construction projects across the United States and Canada. Reed’s data collection teams leverage strong industry relationships, innovative technology, and third-party data sources to deliver timely and accurate information on projects, companies, and contacts and daily updates for all types of general and civil construction. For more information, visit www.reedconstructiondata.com.

Related Stories

| Jul 23, 2014

Meet Acquario Ceará: The giant crustacean-shaped aquarium that's causing concerns

A new aquarium on Brazil's northeastern coast is designed, engineered, constructed and financed by U.S. firms and institutions.

| Jul 23, 2014

Top Healthcare Sector Construction Firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]

Turner, McCarthy, and Skanska USA top Building Design+Construction's 2014 ranking of the largest healthcare contractors and construction management firms in the U.S.

| Jul 23, 2014

Top Healthcare Sector Engineering Firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]

AECOM, Jacobs, and URS Corp. top Building Design+Construction's 2014 ranking of the largest healthcare engineering and engineering/architecture firms in the U.S.

| Jul 23, 2014

Top Healthcare Sector Architecture Firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]

HDR, Stantec, and HKS top Building Design+Construction's 2014 ranking of the largest healthcare architecture and architecture/engineering firms in the U.S.

| Jul 23, 2014

Tallest skyscraper in South Korea now open

The Northeast Asia Trade Tower stands at 308 meters and is the focal point of the Songdo International Business District, a new 310-hectare city built on reclaimed land. 

| Jul 23, 2014

Architecture Billings Index up nearly a point in June

AIA reported the June ABI score was 53.5, up from a mark of 52.6 in May.

| Jul 22, 2014

L.A.'s tallest tower to get observation deck

U.S. Bank Tower, as part of a series of improvements, will be getting an observation deck and restaurant at its top.

| Jul 22, 2014

Herzog & de Meuron unveil curvy concrete condo in Manhattan

Herzog & de Meuron have released renderings of their new $250 million New York building, a 12-story condominium with 88 luxury apartments. 

| Jul 21, 2014

Narrowing the field: Stirling Prize shortlist announced

The list includes first-time nominees Mecanoo and Renzo Piano Building Workshop, as well as previous winners Zaha Hadid Architects and Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. 

| Jul 21, 2014

Designing the process of leadership transition

Transition planning can be one of the more complex challenges that firms face. Effective plans begin by determining the gap between a firm’s current state and the future it envisions for itself. SPONSORED CONTENT

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




Government Buildings

One of the country’s first all-electric fire stations will use no outside energy sources

Charlotte, N.C.’s new Fire Station #30 will be one of the country’s first all-electric fire stations, using no outside energy sources other than diesel fuel for one or two of the fire trucks. Multiple energy sources will power the station, including solar roof panels and geothermal wells. The two-story building features three truck bays, two fire poles, dispatch area, contamination room, and gear storage.

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021