RALEIGH, N.C. — FMI announces the release of its Third Quarter Nonresidential Construction Index Report. Plunging 5 points, the index is back to Q2-2010 levels. Notably, confidence in the economy by panelists took a huge hit, dropping 24.7 points. “Beware of the upturn,” is the sentiment expressed by a number of panelists. They raise concerns that too many contractors have been taking on too much low-bid work just to keep their backlogs full. The result is businesses are becoming unable to finance ongoing losses. On the rise is the number of contractors participating in self-funded projects as a financing partner … Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Architecture Billings Index pointed to a slower decline in July in design activity at U.S. architecture firms. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects reported the July ABI score was 48.7, up considerably from the mark of 45.9 in June. This score reflects a decrease in demand for design services (any score below50 indicates a decline in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 56.3, up from mark of 54.4 the previous month. “Even … Read more