![The Optimism Quotient is directional in nature and gives an indication of industry executives’ optimism about the coming year compared to the previous year.](https://img.forconstructionpros.com/files/base/acbm/fcp/image/2018/02/Screen_Shot_2018_02_28_at_9.21.23_AM.5a96c909910cc.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=288&q=70&rect=0%2C3%2C1756%2C987&w=512)
An increase in optimism is evident for both residential and
nonresidential construction activity in 2018.Wells Fargo
The showcase of the report is the Optimism Quotient (OQ), a measure of the industry’s expectation for local, nonresidential construction activity for the year ahead. For 2018, the Optimism Quotient is a 20-year high of 133, with both distributors and end users reporting high expectations for activity levels this year. It’s a 10-point increase from last year and 25 points above the 2016 results, showing that respondents continue to feel very positive about construction industry activity in 2018.