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AIA: Architecture Billings Index shows contraction in August

By Anonymous

Note: This index is a leading indicator for new Commercial Real Estate (CRE) investment.

Reuters reports that the American Institute of Architects? Architecture Billings Index increased to 48.2 in August from 47.9 in July. Any reading below 50 indicates contraction.

Project cancellations continue to be the main roadblock to recovery for the construction sector, the group said.

The ABI press release is not online yet.

Click on graph for larger image in new window.

This graph shows the Architecture Billings Index since 1996. The index has remained below 50, indicating falling demand, since January 2008.

Note: Nonresidential construction includes commercial and industrial facilities like hotels and office buildings, as well as schools, hospitals and other institutions.

According to the AIA, there is an "approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending" on non-residential construction. So there will probably be further declines in CRE investment into 2011.

Full post as published by Calculated Risk on September 22, 2010 (boomark / email).