Total seasonally adjusted (SA), housing starts were reported at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,253,000 for the month of March, on a 3MMA basis, up 8.8% year on year (y/y).

The national ABI score for March jumped to 54.3 (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings), up 3.6 points from February’s 50.7. In an encouraging trend for future non-residential construction activity, the ABI has been greater than 50 for four of the last six months.

The PPI for all commodities moved up 4.9% year on year (y/y), its fourth month in a row of increases after a 24 month stretch of month on month declines. The material and construction components PPI also moved higher, up 2.0% y/y, its eighth consecutive y/y increase.

The Dodge momentum index moved up 1.2 points or 0.9% in March. The index has now advanced for six consecutive months. The index predicts non-residential construction activity approximately 12 months out.

The US Census Bureau today, (April 3^rd) reported that total construction spending non-seasonally adjusted, in constant 2009 dollars increased 5.0% year on year for the 12 months ending February 2017. On a three month year on year comparison, spending rose a slightly lower 3.5%.

Total housing starts were reported at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,167,000 for the month of February, on a 3MMA basis, up 8.9% year on year (y/y). Single family housing starts moved-up 4.8%, 3MMA y/y, while multi-family surged 17.7%, 3MMA y/y, over the same time comparison.