Strongest ABI Reading Since 2007

The Architecture Billings Index (ABI), a leading indicator of the U.S. construction activity nine to 12 months into the future, had a score 52.0 in the month of December.  Any reading above 50 is said to indicate expansion, while any reading below 50 is said to indicate a decline in the demand for design services. This is the fifth consecutive month of growth, which means eight months of 2012 showed improving business conditions, the most in a single calendar year since 2007. The industry appears to be working itself out of the economic downturn with new contracts becoming more readily available.  Firms across the country continue to see growth with the exception of firms in the West, which continued to struggle to recover from nearly five year of declining billings.  Click here to continue reading.