Project Stress Index Featured Economy

Project Stress Index Sees Minimal Uptick in January

KEY POINTS

  • The ConstructConnect Project Stress Index (PSI), which tracks delayed bid dates, on-hold projects, and abandonments in preconstruction, ended January 2026 at 102.5, a 0.5 percent increase over December’s reading. 

  • January’s Project Stress Index reading is 11.6 percent lower than January 2025’s, with all three stress indicators down from year-ago levels.

  • Project abandonments fell significantly from year-ago levels.

Composite Overview 

The Project Stress Index ended January 2026 at 102.5, a 0.5 percent increase over December’s reading. The minimal uptick was driven by a 16.9 percent increase in on-hold activity and a 13.3 percent rise in bid date delays. These increases were mostly offset by a 19.6 percent decline in abandonment activity over the month.

January’s Project Stress Index reading is 11.6 percent lower than January 2025’s, with all three stress indicators down from year-ago levels. Abandonments have seen the most significant improvement, falling 20.7 percent, while bid date delays and on-holds have declined 8.3 percent and 3.9 percent, respectively.

Components Monitor

Delay Bid Date

101.1

On Hold

102.9

Abandoned

103.7

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Month-on-month changes of less than 0.25% are indicated as unchanged. Image and Data by ConstructConnect.

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project stress index Feb 2026 c2026 constructconnect

The ConstructConnect Project Stress Index (PSI) composite chart is shown from January 2023 to January 2026. The PSI is a seasonally adjusted, equal-weight measure of delayed, on-hold, or abandoned projects. (Month-on-month changes of less than 0.25% are indicated as unchanged). Image: ConstructConnect

Sector Status Update 

Compared to January 2025, the January 2026 Project Stress Index saw improvements across all stress indicators for both the public and private sectors. The most significant year-over-year declines were seen in public and private abandonments, which both fell over 20 percent.

With recent Federal Reserve rate cuts and improving bank appetite for commercial real estate loans, fewer owners and developers may be pushed to delay or abandon their projects.

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READ THE FAQs on The Project Stress Index

About the Project Stress Index

The Project Stress Index (PSI) composite represents an equal-weight measure of the seasonally adjusted level of preconstruction projects that have experienced a delayed bid date, been placed on hold, or abandoned in the last 30 days. The PSI only monitors nonresidential and multifamily projects in their preconstruction phases, thus excluding any single-family home construction. Each component has been seasonally adjusted and then indexed against its 2021 average weekly reading. The independent tracking of each status type gives unique insights into market changes’ timing, direction, and amplitude. Additional information about the PSI, including detailed data about the individual readings for delayed, on-hold, and abandoned projects, can be found here.

About ConstructConnect

At ConstructConnect, our software solutions provide the information that construction professionals need to start every project on a solid foundation. For more than 100 years, our keen insights and market intelligence have empowered commercial firms, building product manufacturers, trade contractors, and architects to make data-driven decisions, streamline preconstruction workflows, and maximize their productivity. Our newest offerings—including our comprehensive, AI-assisted software—help our clients find, bid on, and win more projects.

ConstructConnect operates as a business unit of Roper Technologies (Nasdaq: ROP), a constituent of the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Fortune 1000.

For more information, visit constructconnect.com

Devin Bell, Associate Economist
Devin Bell joined ConstructConnect as the Associate Economist in April 2025, tracking key industry construction trends and data. He reports on industry-leading indicators, including the Project Stress Index, the Expansion Index, and the Data Center Report. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in economics.