The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has reached positive territory three months in a row.
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 AIA reported the January ABI score was 50.9, following a mark of 51.0 in December. This score reflects a slight increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 61.2, down just a notch from a reading of 61.5 the previous month.
Key January ABI highlights:
- Regional averages: Midwest (53.7), South (51.6), Northeast (50.7), West (45.6)
- Sector index breakdown: multi-family residential (52.6), commercial / industrial (52.2),institutional (51.1), mixed practice (46.1)
- Project inquiries index: 61.2
The regional and sector categories are calculated as a 3-month moving average, whereas the index and inquiries are monthly numbers. BD+C
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