|
contents | events | |||||||||
| More negative conditions for Architecture Billings Index While conditions have improved somewhat for three consecutive months, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) continues to point to unfavorable conditions for the nonresidential construction market. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the August ABI rating was 47.6, up slightly from the 46.8 mark in July (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The inquiries for new projects score was 52.4. There is, however, continued demand for projects such as schools, hospitals and government buildings with the institutional category of the ABI remaining positive going all the way back to 2004. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Construction News :: home page |