Construction + Economy

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) for current conditions in North America improved to 58.3 in October as the share of panelists reporting improved conditions rose by a larger amount than the share reporting they worsened. Meanwhile, the EBCI for future North American conditions fell for a second consecutive month in October, dropping to 55.6.

With all geographic regions and building project sectors showing positive conditions, there continues to be a heightened level of demand for design services signaled in the latest Architecture Billings Index (ABI). As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lead time between architecture billings and construction [...]

On the heels of recording its strongest pace of growth since 2007, there continues to be an increasing level of demand for design services signaled in the latest Architecture Billings Index (ABI). As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lead time between architecture billings and [...]

Demand for lighting equipment, as measured by NEMA’s Lighting Systems Shipments Index, was essentially flat during the second quarter, increasing 0.1% over 2014Q1. In contrast, year-over-year performance for the topline index showed a decrease of 1.4%. Emergency lighting and fixtures were the only index components to show an improvement in sales with ballasts, large- and [...]

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) for current conditions in North America climbed to 68.2 in August from 54.5 in July. Slightly less than half of the survey panelists reported business conditions improved from July to August compared to only 9% claiming they deteriorated. The remaining 45% of panelists reported conditions were largely unchanged. The [...]

The last three months have shown steadily increasing demand for design services and the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) is now at its highest level since 2007. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of [...]

First, the bad news. Due to the weather-related slow start in the nonresidential building market during the first part of the year, and the prolonged weakness in the institutional sector, construction spending projections for the rest of the year have been lowered slightly. Now the good news. The commercial construction sector is still looking at [...]

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) for current conditions in North America was unchanged in June at 50, a value that is just below the threshold for conditions typically associated with an environment conducive to business expansion. The EBCI for future North American conditions continued to signal widespread optimism even though the index slipped to [...]

On the heels of consecutive months of decreasing demand for design services, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has returned to positive territory. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the [...]