Economy
February 17, 2016
ABI Starts Year with a Decline
Written by Sandy Williams
After a generally positive performance in 2015, the Architectural Billings Index started the year with a slip to 49.6 in January from December’s reading of 51.3. A score above 50 indicates growth in design services and below 50 indicates a decline.
AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker called January “rocky” but noted “the fundamentals are mostly sound in the nonresidential design and construction market.” Falling stock and oil prices along with an increase in global concerns may have played a role in the January decline, said Baker.
