FGV Ibre's Construction Confidence Index (ICST) rose 0.8 points in July 2026, reaching 92.5 points. The result marks the second consecutive month of increase and reflects a more positive assessment of current business, especially in the residential construction segment.
What the ICST Numbers Say
The advance of the ICST was driven by both the Current Situation Index (ISA-CST) and the Expectations Index (IE-CST), although with different intensities. The ISA-CST rose 1.5 points to 92.1, while the IE-CST advanced just 0.1 point to 93.0. This movement indicates that construction companies are more confident with the present moment than with the immediate future.
Within the ISA, the Current Business Situation registered 90.9 points with a significant increase of 2.1 points — the biggest increase among all the sub-indices. The Contract Portfolio reached 93.4 points, with a positive variation of 0.8 points. These indicators show that Brazilian construction companies are operating with a more robust order book than in previous months, which is a positive sign for the contracting of engineering projects and for the demand for software such as AutoCAD, Revit and Civil 3D.
- Total ICST: 92.5 points (up 0.8 points)
- ISA-CST (current situation): 92.1 points (up 1.5 points)
- IE-CST (expectations): 93.0 points (0.1 point increase)
- Capacity Utilization Level (Nuci): 76.1% (decrease of 0.9 p.p.)
Segments: Residential Push Alta, Infrastructure Remains Optimistic
The construction project coordinator at FGV Ibre, Ana Maria Castelo, highlighted that the more positive evaluation with current business was especially relevant among Residential Building companies. The housing segment has been benefiting from financing programs and the increased demand for new properties in several regions of the country.
On the other hand, there was a drop in confidence in the Infrastructure segment, with worsening expectations — a movement that may be related to the proximity of the end of the cycle of works linked to the electoral period. Even with this specific decline, the Infrastructure segment remains the most optimistic and with the highest level of confidence, reflecting the good moment of public and private investments in the area.
For engineers and designers working on infrastructure projects, the scenario remains favorable. Tools like AutoCAD Civil 3D and Revit They are essential to develop earthmoving, drainage, paving and structural projects within the standards required by the market.
Impact on Employment and Sector Activity
One of the most relevant data from the research is the Recent Activity Evolution Indicator, which reached the best level since November 2025. This result should have an impact on the pace of employment growth, which at the end of the semester began to show signs of slowing down and could reverse, according to an analysis by FGV Ibre coordinator, Ana Maria Castelo.
The Installed Capacity Utilization Level (Nuci) fell 0.9 percentage points to 76.1%. The Labor Nuci fell to 77.6% and that of Machinery and Equipment to 70.5%. Despite the decline, the levels still indicate heated activity in the sector, with a large part of the production capacity being used.
The forecast demand data reached 93.8 points, even though it registered the lowest level since December 2025. The Business Trend rose to 92.1 points, with an increase of 1.3 points — an indicator that businesspeople in the sector remain confident in the coming months.
- Expected Demand: 93.8 points (lowest level since Dec/2025)
- Business Trend: 92.1 points (up 1.3 points)
- Nuci Mao de Obra: 77.6% (decrease of 1.1 p.p.)
- Nuci Maquinas: 70.5% (decrease of 1.4 p.p.)
Perspectives for the Construction Market
The increase in confidence in construction in July reinforces the perception that the sector will remain strong in 2026, driven by investments in infrastructure and the real estate market. For professionals in the area, the time is favorable to invest in training and updated tools. Check out the options software for civil engineering and architecture in the CanalVIP catalog and keep your office equipped with the best tools on the market.