Builder blog

Current events and commentary regarding the construction industry. Opinions are my own.
Justin Reginato, Ph.D.
  • About
  • Builder Blog
  • Tacos & Tower Cranes
  • In the News
  • For CM Students

Architectural Billings Increase from Last Month But Still Declining

5/22/2014

0 Comments

 
Typically, I love receiving AIA's Architectural Billings Index (ABI) figures--it's my favorite economic indicator. But it's definitely less fun when the ABI is less than 50 (any value greater than 50 means that architecture billings are increasing; conversely, any value less than 50 means billings are decreasing). So when April 2014's ABI came in at 49.6, I was a bit disappointed. The silver lining: it's up from March's 48.8 figure.  Huzzah…

As always, the details are a bit more revealing.

Regional (three month) Averages for April 2014:
  • Northeast: 42.9 (down sharply from 45.5 in March and way down from 48.3 in February)
  • South: 57.5 (strongly increasing from an adjusted 55.6 in March)
  • Midwest: 47.0 (up from 46.9 in March)
  • West: 48.9 (down from 50.0 in March and falling below the threshold of 50)

The west's slide to contraction is discouraging, as it's been fairly hot for a while. The south is booming and has been strong for a while. 

Sector Averages for April 2014:
  • Multi-family Residential: 52.6 (down slightly from 52.7 in March)
  • Commercial/Industrial: 50.2 (down slightly from 50.5 in March)
  • Mixed Practice: 50.7 (up from 48.9 in March)
  • Institutional: 47.1 (down from 48.3 in March)

Another bright spot (so long as we're looking for silver linings): the Inquiry Index is at 59.1, up from 57.9 in March. AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker states that "Despite an easing in demand for architectural services over the past couple of months, there is a pervading sense of optimism that business conditions are poised to improve at the year moves on."
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    September 2019
    August 2019
    September 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    July 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    February 2012

    Categories

    All
    Economics
    Real Estate
    Technology

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • About
  • Builder Blog
  • Tacos & Tower Cranes
  • In the News
  • For CM Students