AIA reported the August ABI score was 51.4, following a very weak score of 45.1 in July. This score reflects an increase in demand for design services.
The AIA will establish a new survey that will begin to identify and analyze stalled projects from around the country that could be moved forward on almost any front but for the lack of financing.
Following the first positive reading since January 2008, the ABI dropped nearly two points in October. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to 12 month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending.
For the first time since January 2008, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) indicated a growth in design activity in September, increasing for the fourth straight month.
