After seeing ebbs and flows in each of the four prior quarters, NEMA’s Lighting Systems Index gained 5.2% on a quarter-to-quarter basis during 2012Q1. On a year-over-year basis, the index increased by 3.7%, indicating that aggregate lighting equipment demand has improved appreciably since the recovery began; however it remains well below the levels observed during [...]

The commercial sector continues to lead the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) which has remained in positive territory for the fifth consecutive month. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the March [...]

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions retreated nearly 13 points in April to 59.1, following a sharp run-up earlier in the year to its highest levels since 2005. Despite the slide seen in the latest month, the index continues to point to an economic environment conducive to industry growth. The [...]

A new report released by the New Buildings Institute (NBI) and the Zero Energy Commercial Building Consortium (CBC) reveals that zero energy commercial buildings—highly efficient buildings that produce as much energy as they use through on-site renewable resources—are cropping up across the United States. The report, “Getting To Zero 2012 Status Update: A First Look [...]

This series of photos published by the Tribeca Trib, a publication covering southern Manhattan, shows a year of progress at the World Trade Center site.

Led by the commercial sector, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has remained in positive territory four months in a row, according to the American Institute of Architects (AIA). As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. AIA reported the [...]

FMI’s forecast for total construction put in place in 2012 is a 5% increase compared to 2011, or $826.3 billion. The last time construction put in place was at this level was 2000-2001. Economic Indicators: Despite slow growth projections and rising gasoline prices, the GDP is still growing and consumers are still spending, reflected in [...]

Following a run-up of more than 20 points in January and February to its highest level in more than six years, NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions retreated slightly in March, slipping 0.5 points to 72. The survey’s measure of the degree of change in current North American conditions remained [...]

Construction spending during January 2012 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $827 billion, 0.1% below the revised December estimate of $827.6 billion, and 7.1% above the January 2011 estimate of $772.0 billion, according to new Commerce Department figures. PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION Spending on private construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of [...]