According to ARCHITECT‘s Ayda Ayoubi. the AIA’s monthly Architecture Billings Index (ABI) came in at a score of 50.4 in December, a 4.3-point drop from the previous month, but marking the 15th consecutive month of gains. The ABI is a leading economic indicator of construction activity in the U.S., and reflects a nine- to 12-month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending nationally, regionally, and by project type. A score above 50, as seen in December, represents an increase in billings from the previous month, while a score below 50 represents a contraction.
“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 AIA chief economist Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, in a press release. “Growing anxiety over unstable business conditions and the partial shutdown of the government may lead to further softening in the coming months.”
