In fact, Chen Zhengli, Secretary General of the Mining Machinery Branch of the Construction Machinery Industry Association, predicts that the local companies will account for 50% of the excavator market in China within five years.

FORBES: The Battle For China's Construction-Machinery Market

In a report earlier this year, Mr. Hunter found that insurers have been pushing some of their risk to consumers by capping how much they will pay to replace a home, for example, or refusing to pay extra to account for higher material costs or to meet modern construction codes.

WSJ: Getting Going: Insurance Deductibles Soar

Meanwhile construction of new hotels, roads, offices and factories-the nonresidential projects that account for 90% of United's business-is likely to improve.

FORBES: Pays the Rent

Mr Marchionne believes that spinning off Fiat Industrial, which will include CNH, a producer of farming and construction equipment and Iveco, a truckmaker, will give those businesses, which currently account for 35% of group sales, greater visibility.

ECONOMIST: A plan for Fiat and Chrysler