Architecture Billings Index ends year on positive note

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["em"],["b"],["a",["href","http:\/\/www.aia.org\/practicing\/economics"]],["a",["href","http:\/\/www.aia.org\/practicing\/economics\/AIAS076265"]],["a",["href","http:\/\/www.aia.org","target","_self"]]],"sections":[[1,"h3",[[0,[],0,"For immediate release"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Washignton, D.C. - January 20, 2016 - There were a few occasions where demand for design services decreased from a\nmonth-to-month basis in 2015, but the Architecture\nBillings Index (ABI) concluded the year in positive terrain and was so in eight\nof the twelve months of the year. As a\nleading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the\napproximate nine to twelve month lead time between architecture billings and\nconstruction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the\nDecember ABI score was 50.9, up from the mark of 49.3 in the previous month.\nThis score reflects a slight increase in design services (any score above 50\nindicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 60.2, up\nfrom a reading of 58.6 the previous month."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\n\n \u201cAs has been the case for the\npast several years, there continues to be a mix of business conditions that\narchitecture firms are experiencing,\u201d said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker,\nHon. AIA, PhD. \u201cOverall, however, ABI scores\nfor 2015 averaged just below the strong showing in 2014, which points to\nanother healthy year for construction this year.\u201d"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Key December ABI highlights:"]]],[3,"ul",[[[0,[],0,"Regional averages: West (53.7), South (53.3), Northeast (46.7), Midwest (46.1)"]],[[0,[],0,"Sector index breakdown: multi-family residential (52.9), institutional (52.2), commercial\/industrial (47.3),\n mixed practice (46.5)"]],[[0,[],0,"Project inquiries index: 60.2"]],[[0,[],0,"Design contracts index: 51.0"]]]],[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"The regional and sector categories are calculated as a 3-month moving average, whereas the national index, design contracts and inquiries are monthly numbers. "]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[],0,"\n"],[0,[1],1,"About the AIA Architecture Billings Index"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"\n"],[0,[],0,"The Architecture\nBillings Index (ABI), produced by the "],[0,[2],1,"AIA Economics \u0026 Market Research Group"],[0,[],0,", is a leading economic indicator that\nprovides an approximately nine to twelve month glimpse into the future of\nnonresidential construction spending activity. The diffusion indexes contained\nin the full report are derived from a monthly \u201cWork-on-the-Boards\u201d survey that\nis sent to a panel of AIA member-owned firms. Participants are asked whether\ntheir billings increased, decreased, or stayed the same in the month that just\nended as compared to the prior month, and the results are then compiled into\nthe ABI. These monthly results are also seasonally adjusted to allow for\ncomparison to prior months. The monthly ABI index scores are centered around\n50, with scores above 50 indicating an aggregate increase in billings, and\nscores below 50 indicating a decline. The regional and sector data are\nformulated using a three-month moving average. More information on the ABI and\nthe analysis of its relationship to construction activity can be found in the\nrecently released White Paper, "],[0,[0],1,"Designing the Construction Future: Reviewing the Performance and Extending the Applications of the AIA\u2019s Architecture Billings Index"],[0,[],0," on the "],[0,[3],1,"AIA website"],[0,[],0,"."]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[1],1,"About The American Institute of Architects"],[0,[],0,"\n"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects consistently works to\ncreate more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings,\nneighborhoods, and communities. Through nearly 300 state and local chapters,\nthe AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public\nwell-being. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest\nprofessional standards. The AIA provides members with tools and resources to\nassist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and\ngovernment leaders and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing\nour communities, institutions, nation and world. Visit "],[0,[4],1,"www.aia.org"],[0,[],0,"."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\n\n\n\n"]]]]}