Architecture Billings Soften in December

January 23, 2019

Tariffs & Government Shutdown Loom


The Architecture Billings Index score for December was 50.4, down 4.3 points from November. Despite the pullback this marked the fifteenth consecutive month of growth in billings.

“Given the concerns over the ongoing tariff situation, it is not surprising to see a bit of a slowdown in progress on current projects,” said American Institute of Architects Chief Economist Kermit Baker.

The project inquiry index was 55.6, down from the previous month’s score of 63.1. The design contracts index decreased 2.5 points to 52.1. Growth slowed across all sectors.

Baker added, “Growing anxiety over unstable business conditions and the partial shutdown of the government may lead to further softening in the coming months.”

Dodge Momentum Index Lowers in December

January 9, 2019

Year Closes with Drop in Commercial Planning

The Dodge Momentum Index was 151.9 in December, dropping 4.9% from the revised November reading of 159.7.
The decline was led by commercial activity, which dropped 7.6% from 176.1 to 162.7. …

ABI Moves Up in November

December 26, 2018

Strongest Growth Since January

The Architecture Billings Index score for November was 54.7, up 4.3 points from October. This marked the fourteenth consecutive month of growth in billings.
“Despite some concerns about a potential economic downturn, architecture firms continue …

Dodge Momentum Index Higher in November

December 10, 2018

Commercial Activity Rebounds

The Dodge Momentum Index was 159.7 in November, rising 5.3% from the revised October reading of 151.7.
The commercial component drove the increase, surging 9.4%. Institutional activity was down slightly 0.6%.

Architecture Billings Positive But Slow in October

November 16, 2018

Southern Billings Decline After Hurricanes

Growth remained positive overall in October, though billings continued to slow.
The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for October was 50.4, down .7 points from 51.1 in September. Any score above 50 indicates growth …

DMI Retracts in October

November 9, 2018

Planning Declines for Third Consecutive Month

The Dodge Momentum Index was 150.5 in October, dropping 4.2% from the revised September reading of 157.0.
The commercial component dropped 4.9% and institutional activity was down 3.1%.
Commercial planning has led the …

Architecture Billings Slow in September

October 24, 2018

Midwest and Southern activity lead in billings

While growth remained positive for the twelfth consecutive month, architecture billings slowed in September.
The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for September was 51.1, down 3.1 points from the previous month. Any …

Dodge Momentum Index Lower in September

October 8, 2018

Construction Activity Drops for Second Consecutive Month

The Dodge Momentum Index was 159.5 in September, dropping 2.6% from the revised August reading of 163.7.
The commercial component fell 4.3% and institutional activity was down 0.1%.
Despite the decline, …

August ABI Rebounds

September 20, 2018

Firms in the South Leading Growth

The Architecture Billings Index score for August was 54.2, up from July’s reading of 50.7. Any score above 50 indicates growth in billings.
“Billings at architecture firms in the South continue to …

DMI Declines in August

September 10, 2018

Index Dips on Reduced Commercial Activity

The Dodge Momentum Index fell in August to 164.1, a 2.9% drop from the revised July number of 169.0.
The commercial component, which rose 25% between January and July, declined 6.1% to …