Navigating the Year Ahead: Value Certainty in Equipment Markets

Navigating the Year Ahead: Value Certainty in Equipment Markets

In the ever-evolving world of construction, lift/access, and agriculture equipment, staying ahead of the curve is essential for making informed decisions. In this month’s blog we are taking a deep look into this month’s EquipmentWatch Market Report, in order to better explore the trends and shifts that are shaping the equipment landscape as we approach the year ahead.

 

Construction Equipment: The Value Paradox

In the realm of construction equipment, value certainty is a priority for stakeholders. However, recent numbers have shown a dip in Fair Market Values (FMV), raising eyebrows among industry experts. FMV saw a slight decrease from $100,461 to $100,245 in December 2023. It’s a nuanced situation, though, as other factors come into play.

Man looking at tablet at construction site with excavator

Age and usage data tell a different story. Used construction equipment has been consistently getting younger, with a 1.47% reduction in age in November 2023. This suggests that newer, more advanced equipment is entering the market, potentially reflecting industry efforts to modernize and meet evolving demands. The real surprise comes from the year-over-year usage data, which indicates a significant 15.75% increase since November 2022. Could this be signaling a resurgence in construction projects, driving up demand for equipment?

Is the dip in values just a temporary setback, or is there more at play in the construction equipment market?

Lift/Access Equipment: Riding the Rollercoaster

Lift/access equipment values took industry players on a rollercoaster ride throughout 2023. It started with a bang, with a substantial 12.36% increase in Fair Market Values (FMV) in December 2022 compared to the previous year. However, things took a turn in the fall of 2023, with a slight decline in FMV. The big question now is whether this is a sign of a more stable market ahead or a brief pause before the next wave of changes. The usage data provides some clues. Over the past year, usage has surged by an impressive 7.91% since November 2022. This significant uptick suggests increased utilization of lift/access equipment, possibly driven by a rise in construction and infrastructure projects. The question remains – will this boost in usage translate into sustained value growth? As we wrap up 2023, the lift/access equipment market leaves us wondering: are values up in the air, or are we on the cusp of a new market dynamic?

Agriculture Equipment: Steady as She Goes

Amidst market uncertainties and challenges, agriculture equipment values have remained remarkably stable throughout 2023. The numbers tell a story of resilience in the face of external factors. Fair Market Values for agriculture equipment stayed within a tight range, with only a marginal 0.52% decrease from January to December. What’s truly impressive is the year-over-year data, showing a moderate 2.13% increase in Fair Market Values from December 2022 to December 2023. This suggests consistent demand for agriculture equipment, even in the face of changing market conditions. Usage data paints a similar picture. Over the past year, usage has risen by 5.43% since November 2022, indicating sustained growth in demand. Whether it’s increased agricultural activity or efforts to improve efficiency in farming operations, one thing is clear – the agriculture equipment market remains active. In a world of uncertainty, agriculture equipment values stand as a beacon of stability. Will this trend continue into the year ahead?

Tractor sowing seed on plowed field. Sowing seeds of corn and sunflower. Blue Tractor with disk harrow on plowing field. Seeding machinery on farm field. Seed sowing in farmland, aerial view..
graph showing price going down as usage goes up

Navigating the Road Ahead

As we navigate the year ahead, value certainty becomes paramount in equipment markets. The data from this month’s EquipmentWatch Market Report offers a glimpse into the complex dynamics at play. Construction equipment faces a paradox of declining values but a surge in usage, potentially signaling a construction resurgence. Lift/access equipment values have been on a rollercoaster, leaving us wondering if stability is on the horizon. Agriculture equipment, on the other hand, stands firm, demonstrating resilience and consistency.

The question on everyone’s mind is: how will these trends shape the year ahead, and what actions will industry stakeholders take in response? Stay tuned as we continue to decode the evolving landscape of used equipment markets.

At EquipmentWatch, we analyze equipment values on a regular basis with our monthly Market Reports. More in-depth reports such as The State of the Construction Equipment Economy aim to arm you with the insights you need to make quality, informed decisions about how to manage your heavy equipment. EquipmentWatch can help you with the data you need now to set accurate rates, value your fleet, make disposition decisions, and understand when to rent equipment. We are also ready to be your principal data provider for any AI-focused projects you take on in the future. For more information on the data solutions offered by EquipmentWatch call us at (888) 307-1713.