The Wall Street Journal is today reporting that prices for rare earths, commonly used in fluorescent lamps and LEDs, have moderated in recent weeks after two years of large gains. Check it out here.

Following a drop of almost a full point in June, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) fell again by more than a point in July. 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 [...]

A multitude of factors are preventing a recovery for the beleaguered design and construction industry. Lenders that have been extremely reticent to finance construction projects, budget shortfalls at all levels of government, the ripple effect of overbuilding, a depressed housing market and rising costs of key construction commodities are all contributing to what projects to [...]

The broad economic slowdown of recent months continued to affect the electrical manufacturing sector in July, with the Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions dropping to 32 from 45.5 a month ago, remaining below the growth threshold of 50 points for a second straight month. Forty-four percent (44%) of respondents to [...]

June marked the third consecutive decline in revenue at U.S. architecture firms as measured by the Architecture Billings Index (ABI). 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 June ABI score [...]

“In our Construction Outlook for the second quarter 2011, there are signs that the economy is recovering, even for contractors, but you have to look hard to see them. The stock market has taken on a more bullish trend since the bottom of the recession, but that bull has yet to visit Main Street, which [...]

Electrical contractors are an important influence in the lighting market, according to a new survey published by ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR. The survey of more than 700 readers, conducted by Renaissance Research & Consulting, found that contractors make decisions about lighting during both the design and construction project phases. Highlights: * 97% said they work with indoor [...]

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions slipped to 45.5 in June, dropping below the 50-point “growth threshold” for the first time since October 2010. The index had climbed as high as 69.6 as recently as February 2011, prior to a sharp run-up in oil prices and Japan’s earthquake and tsunami. [...]

On the heels of a sizable decrease in April, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) slowed even further in May. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the May ABI score [...]