ABI Index improves in March; nice to finally have some good news for reprographers (BUT!)

This information was obtained from an article on Reuters.com

Finally, some positive news about the AIA's ABI Index!

....NEW YORK (Reuters) - A leading indicator of U.S. nonresidential construction activity jumped in March to its best level since August 2008, an architects' trade group said on Wednesday (April 22, 2009)

The Architecture Billings Index rose more than 8 points to 43.7 last month, marking the second consecutive monthly improvement, according to the American Institute of Architects. The index has not crossed above 50, a level that indicates improving demand, since January 2008.

All four geographic regions tracked by the group remained below 50, as did all four construction subsectors. But a measure of inquiries for projects rose 7 points to 56.6, its third consecutive monthly increase.

"The fact that inquiries for new projects increased is encouraging, but it will likely be a few months before we see an improvement in overall billings," AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker said. "This news should be viewed with cautious optimism."

The AIA's Billings Index, which began in 1995, is considered a measure of construction activity nine to 12 months in the future.

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

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT GOOD NEWS IS OFFSET BY BAD NEWS. Google "Southeast Construction News", April 2009 issue, and read about the decline in signed-contracts for Construction Projects in the Southeastern U.S., 2009 vs. 2008. Not a pretty picture / outlook for the current year.