The preliminary value for the CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) for February 2026 (most recent available) rose slightly compared to the previous month’s value. The most current increase is the sixth consecutive monthly rise, and pushes the CEPCI value to levels that exceed the previous highs observed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The uptick in the February CEPCI value is a result of increases in the Equipment, Construction Labor and Buildings subindices. The Engineering & Supervision subindex saw a very small decline. The current CEPCI value now sits at 7.5% higher than the corresponding value from February 2025. Meanwhile, the Current Business Indicators show a flat CPI output index for March 2026.
2026 CEPCI updates: February (prelim.) and January (final)
| By Scott Jenkins