Dive Brief:

• Investment in construction equipment was down in the U.S. in the third quarter of this year, and it probably will continue that trend through 2014.
• Companies bought equipment in the first part of 2013 after having held off during the recession.
• Durable equipment is not an annual investment, and that will affect construction equipment even though next year is forecast to be an improving year for equipment and software investment as a whole.

Dive Insight:

Agriculture equipment also is expected to have a below-normal year, probably for the same reason as construction — pent-up demand has been satisfied now. The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation compiles the numbers. The rental industry accounts for a large share of construction equipment purchases.