John Crum discusses Wells Fargo Equipment Finance's Second-Half 2014 Construction Executive Survey, which reveals broad-based increases in construction activity compared to a year ago. More executives said they are seeing "somewhat higher" or "much higher" construction activity than at any time during the past five years. Twice each year, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance surveys executives in the construction industry to better understand and serve the unique needs that decision-makers face. In our Second-Half 2014 Construction Executive Survey we found more evidence that the construction industry has much to be optimistic about. Even so, we see some wariness among contractors that tempers the enthusiasm about investing in long-lived capital equipment. The general optimism and other positive indicators lead us to expect another solid year for the U.S. construction equipment market in 2015 with a continuation of the trend toward equipment rental. Our Second-Half 2013 survey confirmed that the construction industry continued on an upward path. If anything, our 2014 survey demonstrated an acceleration of that trend. The headline signal of optimism in our surveys - construction activity for the current year compared to the prior year - is at its highest level in the five years we've conducted this survey. Fewer executives see a contraction of activity than in the previous year, and the jump in the number of executives who see "much higher" activity levels is encouraging. About seven in 10 respondents (70.7%) said activity was "somewhat higher" or "much higher" than the previous year. In 2013, that percentage was 57.7%, and in 2012 it was 47.8%. In addition, only 9.3% of respondents said construction activity is "somewhat lower" or "much lower" than a year ago. In 2013, that percentage was 15.5% and 18.4% in 2012. Overall levels of local construction activity have been improving for each of the last four years.