The preliminary value for the CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) for January 2026 (most recent available) rose slightly compared to the previous month’s value. The first data from 2026 seem to indicate that inflationary pressures are still being felt. The small uptick in the January CEPCI was a result of increases in the Equipment and Buildings subindices. The Construction Labor and Engineering & Supervision subindices decreased by small margins. The current CEPCI value now sits at 6.8% higher than the corresponding value from December 2025. Meanwhile, the Current Business Indicators (middle) show small increases in the CPI output index and the CPI operating rate for February 2026.
2026 CEPCI updates: Jan. (prelim.) and Dec. 2025 (final)
| By Scott Jenkins