Construction + Economy

“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 [...]

Following several months of relatively positive business conditions, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) fell almost three points in April. 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 April ABI score was [...]

The results from NEMA’s latest monthly survey of senior member company executives finds that business conditions improved for the sixth month in a row in April. The Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions measured 57.1. While down slightly from the 60.9 mark recorded in March, a reading above 50 indicates more [...]

Residential architects are reporting that business conditions are stabilizing and there is a healthy demand for remodeling and renovation projects. These findings are from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey for the fourth quarter of 2010, which focused specifically on kitchens and bathrooms. The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is conducted [...]

The first quarter of 2011 has seen the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) remain virtually unchanged and right at, or slightly above, the break-even level. 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 [...]

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions – derived from a survey of senior industry executives – climbed to 69.6 in February, up 6 points from January’s reading of 63.6. The index has topped 60 points in each of the last four months, indicating a sustained improvement in the economic environment [...]