The U.S. producer prices index (PPI), for all commodities was up 0.4% in September. On a 12 months year on year, (y/y) comparison, the all commodities PPI rose 3.6%. The all commodities index has moved higher in each of the last ten months on a y/y basis.

Referencing data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s construction put-in-place (CPIP) shows that total infrastructure spending, (not seasonally adjusted in constant 2009 dollars) decreased by 4.5% three months year on year, (y/y) to $49.4 billion, (B).

Cement consumption moved-up in July for the second month in a row. For the three months total (3MMT), ending July, national Portland cement shipments rose by 2.6% on a 3MMT year on year (y/y), basis. Five of the nine census regions posted higher 3MMT cement shipments y/y.

The Dodge Momentum Index fell 3.1 points in August to 129.1 or -2.3% month on month, (m/m) from its revised July reading of 132.2. A large drop in the commercial sub-index was the main reason for the decline.

Census Bureau non-seasonally adjusted (NSA), constant dollar CPIP data showed that August total construction expenditures grew by 3.9% year on year (y/y), to $1213.6 billion (B). Private expenditures advanced 6.8% y/y, while, State & Local contracted by 3.9% y/y.

The national ABI score for August moved higher by 1.8 points to 53.7 month on month, (m/m). The ABI has now been greater than 50 for seven months in a row and for 10 of the last 12 months.