In the midst of political and economic uncertainty, U.S. engineering firm leaders expressed newfound optimism in the current status and future potential of primary markets, according to the latest Engineering Business Index (EBI), just released by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).
The 3rd Quarter 2016 (Q3/2016) EBI was 61.4, up 1.2 points from the Q2/2016 score of 60.2—which was the lowest score since ACEC launched the EBI in January 2014.
EBI is a diffusion index that charts the health of the engineering industry by consolidating senior leadership responses on market and firm performance into a single composite score. Any number above 50 indicates expansion. The Q3/2016 survey of 326 engineering firm leaders was conducted September 15 to October 5.
Market expectations for one year from today among engineering firm leaders rose a healthy 6.2 points to 63.3—the largest quarter-to-quarter increase since the EBI’s inception. The increased optimism for one year from today was reflected in nine of the 11 surveyed market sectors—a drastic turnaround from the Q2/2016 survey, when engineering leaders expected only one of the 11 sectors—energy and power—to improve over the coming year.
Among public markets, transportation was the strongest sector, up 2.1 points to 64.2. Other rising sectors include water/wastewater (up 0.9, to 63.0); healthcare construction (up 0.8, to 55.8), and education facilities (up 3.0, to 55.0).
Only the environmental sector fell, dropping 0.8 points to 54.3. Among private markets, firm leaders were most bullish about the buildings sector, up 4.4 points to 62.9, followed by energy and power (up 0.7, to 60.4), land development (up 1.2, to 60.2), and Industrial/Manufacturing (up 2.8, to 58.2).
For the complete summary of ACEC’s Q3/2016 Engineering Business Index (EBI), go to www.acec.org.
Related Stories
| Jun 4, 2012
Pressley promoted to Senior VP and CIO at Hill International
Pressley will be responsible for managing all of Hill's information technology systems and software worldwide.
| Jun 4, 2012
Stalco Construction promotes Scott Pavick to chief estimator
Pavick manages the estimating department and is responsible for developing cost estimates and budgets, value engineering, and subcontractor bid evaluation and negotiations.
| Jun 4, 2012
HBD Construction to build new training campus in St. Louis
Larger campus facility will expand training opportunities for plumbers and pipefitters.
| Jun 1, 2012
New BD+C University Course on Insulated Metal Panels available
By completing this course, you earn 1.0 HSW/SD AIA Learning Units.
| Jun 1, 2012
Caruso to lead Gensler’s Asia talent development
Caruso will be based in Shanghai and working with the Gensler offices in Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and India until the spring of 2013.
| Jun 1, 2012
AIA 2030 Commitment Program reports new results
The full report contains participating firm demographics, energy reduction initiatives undertaken by firms, anecdotal accounts, and lessons learned.
| Jun 1, 2012
Robert Wilson joins SmithGroupJJR
Wilson makes the move to SmithGroupJJR from VOA Associates, Inc., where he served as a senior vice president and technical director in its Chicago office.
| Jun 1, 2012
Gilbane Building's Sue Klawans promoted
Industry veteran tasked with boosting project efficiency and driving customer satisfaction, to direct operational excellence efforts.
| Jun 1, 2012
Ground broken for Children’s Hospital Colorado South Campus
Children’s Hospital Colorado expects to host nearly 80,000 patient visits at the South Campus during its first year.
| Jun 1, 2012
K-State Olathe Innovation Campus receives LEED Silver
Aspects of the design included a curtain wall and punched openings allowing natural light deep into the building, regional materials were used, which minimized the need for heavy hauling, and much of the final material included pre and post-consumer recycled content.