Construction + Economy

First, the bad news. Due to the weather-related slow start in the nonresidential building market during the first part of the year, and the prolonged weakness in the institutional sector, construction spending projections for the rest of the year have been lowered slightly. Now the good news. The commercial construction sector is still looking at [...]

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) for current conditions in North America was unchanged in June at 50, a value that is just below the threshold for conditions typically associated with an environment conducive to business expansion. The EBCI for future North American conditions continued to signal widespread optimism even though the index slipped to [...]

On the heels of consecutive months of decreasing demand for design services, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has returned to positive territory. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the [...]

Following a modest two-month recovery in the level of demand for design services, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) again turned negative last month. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported [...]

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) for current conditions in North America edged above the 50 point mark typically associated with a stable business environment in March to 52.6. The gain came on the heels of a reading of 50 in February and a sharp drop in January. Though the index for expected future business [...]

After starting out the year on a positive note, there was another minor increase in the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) last month. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the [...]

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) for current conditions in North America rebounded in February, rising to the 50 point mark typically associated with a stable business environment. The gain came on the heels of a sharp drop in the wintery month of January. Confidence in future business conditions strengthened in February for the fifth [...]

After consecutive months of contracting demand for design services, there was a modest uptick in the Architecture Billings Index (ABI), produced by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. AIA reported the [...]

My contribution to the Lighting Controls Association’s blog this month is a summary of indicators of current economic conditions in the construction industry, along with the latest AIA Consensus Construction Forecast. In short, overall nonresidential construction is projected to strongly rebound in 2014. Read it here.