The preliminary value for the CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) for August 2026 (most recent available) once again rose slightly compared to the previous month’s value. The uptick for August makes 11 consecutive months of increases in the CEPCI. All four of the subindices (Equipment, Construction Labor, Buildings and Engineering & Supervision) saw modest increases. The current CEPCI value now sits at 8.5% higher than the corresponding value from August 2025. Meanwhile, the Current Business Indicators show increases in the CPI output index and the CPI operating rate for September 2026, and an increase in the CPI value of output for August 2026.
2026 CEPCI updates: August (prelim.) and July (final)
| By Scott Jenkins