Steel Products
ABI Continues Upward Trend
Written by Sandy Williams
August 22, 2013
The Architecture Billings Index jumped to 52.7 in July from 51.6 in June indicating a growing demand for construction design activity. The new project inquiry index, an indicator for future demand, surged 4.1 points to 66.7 in July.
“There continues to be encouraging signs that the design and construction industry continues to improve,” said American Institute of Architects Chief Economist, Kermit Baker. “But we also hear a wide mix of business conditions all over the country, ranging from outstanding and booming to slowly improving to flat. In fact, plenty of architecture firms are reporting very weak business conditions as well, so it is premature to declare the entire sector has entered an expansion phase.”
Regional indexes for July, based a three month moving average, were Northeast 54.3, South 54.2, West 51.1 and Midwest 50.8, compared to June at 55.6, 54.8, 51.2 and 48.3, respectively.
Considered a leading indicator, the ABI represents a nine to twelve month forecast of the relationship between architecture billings and construction spending. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings. (Source: American Institute of Architects)

Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Products

Don’t miss next week’s Community Chat with Algoma Steel CEO Michael Garcia
Algoma Steel CEO Michael Garcia will be the featured guest on SMU’s Community Chat webinar on Wednesday, April 9, at 11 a.m. ET. Register here for free to join the timely conversation. As a key Canadian flat-rolled steel producer and supplier to the US, Algoma can offer valuable insight into the evolving tariff landscape — its challenges […]

AISI: US steel shipments decline in February
Domestic steel shipments decreased month over month and year on year in February, according to the latest data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

US, offshore HRC prices differ widely on tariff situation
Domestic hot-rolled (HR) coil prices declined this week, a trend again reflected in most offshore markets. Despite similarities, the shifting tariff landscape has made for a wild ride in Q1.

Atlas Tube debuts ‘HSS Connections Hub’
Atlas Tube, part of Zekelman Industries, has introduced an engineering resource aimed at simplifying Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) connection design for structural engineers and fabricators.

Nucor keeps HRC price unchanged
Nucor paused its weekly hot-rolled (HR) coil price this week, keeping it flat for the first time since Jan. 21. This comes after a nine-week rally that saw the company increase prices by double-digits for eight of those weeks.