Business and Finance

    Can You Find Certainty in an Uncertain World?

    By Richard Branch, Chief Economist Personally, 2021 has gone way too fast. It seemed like just a few months ago the flowers were peeking through the dirt, the grass was growing, and we were looking forward to a summer of travel, seeing friends, and taking part in other activities that were curtailed by the pandemic. But here we are in the fourth quarter, with less than 90 days left in the year, and in the Northeast, the leaves are falling,… Read More »Can You Find Certainty in an Uncertain World?

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      Minds of Steel: How Dave Eckmann Transforms Creative Visions into Innovative Solutions

      When it comes to steel, Dave Eckmann wrote the guide. Literally. Eckmann, Managing Principal for Magnusson Klemencic Associates (MKA) in Chicago, co-authored “Designing With Structural Steel: A Guide for Architects,” the American Institute of Steel Construction’s (AISC’s) handbook for architects using structural steel in their designs. That kind of cross-disciplinary project—an engineer helping architects better understand how to use materials—is one example of how innovation comes with every one of Eckmann’s projects. Due to his deep, versatile knowledge of steel,… Read More »Minds of Steel: How Dave Eckmann Transforms Creative Visions into Innovative Solutions

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        The 2021 Dodge Construction Outlook Conference Will Help Subcontractors Adapt to Supply Chain Instabilities

        The 82nd annual Dodge Construction Outlook Conference will occur on November 3 from 11:00–3:30 (EDT). Although the conference will be virtual this year, due to COVID-19, it remains a cornerstone event for construction industry leaders and the media. Its forecasts offer critical insights into the U.S. economy and the construction market. The conference will feature two keynotes: The 2021 construction industry findings will be presented by Dodge Data & Analytics’ chief economist Richard Branch and will outline the risks and opportunities… Read More »The 2021 Dodge Construction Outlook Conference Will Help Subcontractors Adapt to Supply Chain Instabilities

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          The 2021 Dodge Construction Outlook Conference Will Address Labor Shortages for General Contractors

          The 82nd annual Dodge Construction Outlook Conference will occur on November 3 from 11:00–3:30 (EDT). Although the conference will be virtual this year, due to COVID-19, it remains a cornerstone event for construction industry leaders and the media. Its forecasts offer critical insights into the U.S. economy and the construction market. The conference will feature two keynotes: The 2021 construction industry findings will be presented by Dodge Data & Analytics’ chief economist Richard Branch and will outline the risks and opportunities… Read More »The 2021 Dodge Construction Outlook Conference Will Address Labor Shortages for General Contractors

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            The 2021 Dodge Construction Outlook Conference Will Model Emerging Practices for Building Product Manufacturers to Work With Architects and Engineers

            The 82nd annual Dodge Construction Outlook Conference will occur on November 3 from 11:00–3:30 (EDT). Although the conference will be virtual this year, due to COVID-19, it remains a cornerstone event for construction industry leaders and the media. Its forecasts offer critical insights into the U.S. economy and the construction market. The conference will feature two keynotes: The 2021 construction industry findings will be presented by Dodge Data & Analytics’ chief economist Richard Branch and will outline the risks and opportunities… Read More »The 2021 Dodge Construction Outlook Conference Will Model Emerging Practices for Building Product Manufacturers to Work With Architects and Engineers

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              Dodge’s Chief Economist Analyses the August 2021 Construction Starts

              Richard Branch, chief economist at Dodge Data & Analytics, reviews the latest economic indicators for the construction industry in a new video. Here’s the upshot: Total construction starts fell 9% from July to August. This is the third consecutive monthly decline in activity. All three major sectors fell during the month. Non-building starts fell by 2%. Residential starts fell by 9%. Non-residential starts fell by 13%.

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                In an Eye-Popping First, Rents Increase by Double Digits

                Between January 2012 and June 2021, 12.3 million households formed in the United States. How many homes were built in the same period? Seven million. That’s a shortfall of more than five million units, according to a realtor.com report. Material and labor shortages stemming from COVID-19 exacerbate the current housing crisis, and contribute significantly to a dramatic decrease in the number of lower-priced homes coming to market. “Homes with a median value of $300,000, which is considered relatively affordable, represented… Read More »In an Eye-Popping First, Rents Increase by Double Digits

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                  M&A Highlights: Zweig Group’s 8/30/21 – 9/05/2021 Activity Report

                  By Shirley Che Domestic Transactions DCCM, (Houston, TX) a national provider of design, consulting, and program & construction management services has announced the acquisition of Rochester & Associates (Gainesville, GA). Link to Details National consulting, engineering, and construction services firm, Atwell Group, (Southfield, MI) has announced the completion of a merger with Waldrop Engineering (Bonita Springs, FL). Waldrop is an established planning, landscape architecture, and civil engineering company providing professional design and entitlement services. Link to Details Wind Point Partners, (Chicago, IL) a private equity firm, has acquired The Vertex Companies, Inc. (Weymouth,… Read More »M&A Highlights: Zweig Group’s 8/30/21 – 9/05/2021 Activity Report

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                    U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index Points Upward for Q2 2021

                    The Commercial Construction Index (CCI) is a quarterly economic indicator designed to gauge what drives the commercial construction industry and its leaders, based on research conducted with contractors. Topics covered include the three factors from which the Index is derived—backlog levels, new business opportunities and revenue forecasts—as well as additional market drivers such as workforce, financing, and materials and equipment trends. The Index also features a quarterly spotlight on revolving construction industry topics. Highlights from Q2 2021 include the following:… Read More »U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index Points Upward for Q2 2021

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                      The Dog Days of Summer & What I Did on My Summer Vacation

                      By Richard Branch, Chief Economist Prices are rising, workers are hard to find, logistics chains remain tangled, and leading indicators of construction are softening … what does it all mean? First the good news: lumber prices are falling. This should help stabilize the single family market and make it easier for builders to put more homes on the market in 2022. The bad news? As lumber prices fall, metals and plastics prices are accelerating. This poses more of a risk… Read More »The Dog Days of Summer & What I Did on My Summer Vacation

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