Construction confidence rises despite a drop in activity in Q3‚ according to survey.

The real value of building plans passed in larger municipalities rose by 21.9% year on year (y/y) in the first five months of 2013 after a 3.4% increase in 2012‚ Statistics SA (Stats SA) data showed on Thursday.

Building confidence index increases to 41 index points in the second quarter of 2013‚ from 37 index points in the first quarter‚ according to a survey by FNB and BER.

The FNB/BER building confidence index rose for the second consecutive quarter. The index gained 5 points, from 32 to 37 during 1Q2013. This is the highest reading since 2010.

After hitting a 4 yr. high of 42 index points in 3Q2012, the FNB/BER construction confidence index fell to 36 in 4Q2012.

After losing ground over the past two quarters, the FNB/BER building confidence index rose from 26 to 32 index points during 4Q2012.

The FNB/BER building confidence index increased from 29 in 4Q2011 to 34 in the first quarter of 2012

The composite building confidence has lifted in the fourth quarter 2011 after holding steady in the preceding period, according to First National Bank and the Bureau for Economic Research.

Building confidence has remained almost unchanged in the third quarter of 2011, from the preceding quarter.

The FNB Civil Construction Confidence Index has revealed a drop from an index value of 60 in 1Q2009 to 48 in 2Q2009.