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| Architecture Billings Index rebounds The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the July Architecture Billings Index (ABI) rating was 51.8 (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings), just above the 49.2 mark in June. A modest increase in the July ABI, a leading economic indicator of nonresidential construction activity, counters the previous two months that showed slightly negative scores. The uptick can be attributed to growth at commercial / industrial architecture firms. The latest figures continue the pattern that suggests a strong outlook in the commercial construction market well into 2007, based on the approximate six to nine month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The Architecture Billings Index is derived from a monthly "Work-on-the-Boards" survey and produced by the AIA Economics & Market Research Group. Based on a comparison of data compiled since the survey's inception in 1995 with figures from the Department of Commerce on Construction Put in Place, the findings amount to a leading economic indicator that provides an approximately six month glimpse into the future of nonresidential construction activity. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Construction News :: home page |