VIDEO: Construction shares down –10% in Q1

Shares were down across the board over the first three months of the year. The ‘least worst' was the Nikkei, which lost -8,5 % of its value. In comparison the FTSE lost -11,5% and the Dow was down more than 13%. The construction sector, as measured by our CET index of 60 industry shares was somewhere in the middle of that, with a fall of 10,18%.

The weakest performances were in the materials producing and equipment manufacturing sectors. In contrast, contractors' shares showed some strength, with several enjoying double-digit gains over the course of the first three months of 2009.

However, even in this sector the losses outweighed the gains, and contractors' shares lost -5,21% of their value over the three month period.

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To view Chris Sleight's podcast on share prices movements in 2008, click here.