May ABI Scores Highest of the Year

The American Institute of Architects reports that May indices for new project inquiries and contracts reached their highest level so far in 2017. The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) climbed 2.1 points to a score of 53.0. New project inquires increased 2.2 points for a reading of 62.4 and the new design contracts index reached 54.8 from April’s score of 53.2. The increases in new project inquiries over the past months bode well for construction spending.

“The fact that the data surrounding both new project inquiries and design contracts have remained positive every month this year, while reaching their highest scores for the year, is a good indication that both the architecture and construction sectors will remain healthy for the foreseeable future,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker. “This growth hasn’t been an overnight escalation, but rather a steady, stable increase.”