U.S. real GDP slowed to 1.6% in 2016, the lowest growth rate since 2011. However, the outlook for construction spending in 2017 continues to be positive for all market sectors. The AIA’s semi-annual Consensus Construction Forecast, a survey of the nation’s leading construction forecasters, is projecting nearly 6% growth in nonresidential construction spending in 2017, […]
Electroindustry Business Confidence Gains in December
Although some respondents noted weakness in their markets, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) indicates a decidedly positive shift overall as the current conditions index moved from 57.9 in November to 66.7 in December.
Current and Future Electroindustry Business Indexes Ease Back but Continue to Suggest Conditions Conducive to Expansion
NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) remained above 50 again in July, signaling that conditions continue to be conducive for expansion in this sector. However, the current conditions index retreated back toward the threshold point from 59.4 in June to 53.6 this month. A majority of July’s respondents, 64 percent, reported conditions unchanged from a […]
NEMA’s Business Conditions Indexes Continue Upward Trend in June
June marks the third consecutive month in which NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) improved. The current conditions index increased from May’s reading of 53.3 to reach 59.4 in June. More respondents saw change in business conditions, for better or worse, than did so in May. Thirty-eight percent of respondents reported better conditions in June, […]
2016 Nonresidential Construction Forecast: Continuing but More Moderate Growth
GDP ended 2015 strongly with an annual estimated growth rate of 2.4%. The overall U.S. economy continues to improve. Positive economic conditions continue to support growth in demand for nonresidential construction. The nonresidential construction sector enjoyed double-digit growth in 2015, and strong momentum is expected to continue in 2016. The AIA’s semi-annual Consensus Construction Forecast, […]
Current Business Conditions Index Slips Again in June, While Future Conditions Index Gains Ground
NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) for current conditions in North America declined for a third straight month in June. The index fell to 47.2 from 50 a month ago and from 54.8 in April as a higher proportion of panelists reported business conditions deteriorated in June than reported they improved. In contrast, the EBCI […]
DOE Profiles Commercial Building Stock
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has begun releasing results from the 2012 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS). The CBECS is an estimated profile of the U.S. commercial building stock based on an interviewed sampling. Information includes number of buildings, floorspace, age, building type, region, energy consumption, end-use equipment and more. DOE defines a […]
Little Change in NEMA’s Business Conditions Indexes between February and March
NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) for current conditions in North America was largely steady for a third straight month in March as the index inched up to 58.3 from 57.9 in February and 57.5 in January. The survey’s measure of the mean degree of change in current North American conditions firmed in March, climbing […]
2015 Nonresidential Construction Forecast: Growth Across All Markets
The overall economy continues to improve, with all major economic indicators signaling a trajectory of continuing growth. GDP ended 2014 very strongly, with forecasts calling for 3% growth in 2015. Business confidence reached a level of 61, signaling average belief in expansionary business conditions. Economic conditions are supporting growth in demand for construction activity, particularly […]
2014 Construction Forecast: Private Nonresidential Building Activity Poised for a Rebound in 2014
Growth in construction spending in 2013 continued to outpace the U.S. economy. Estimated total put-in-place construction spending—actual numbers, not seasonally adjusted—grew at a healthy 4.8% in 2013, increasing to about $900 billion. This rate was slower than the previous year’s increase of 9.2%, however. The residential market saw the biggest gains, as a robust market […]