CPA/Barbour ABI Index

摘要

The CPA/Barbour ABI index was at 109 in January, 2% higher than a year earlier. As the index measures contract awards, it is a forward looking index and highlights the cautious optimism across large parts of the construction industry for activity in 2014. Whereas the start of recovery in 2013 was primarily driven by private housing, the CPA/BarbourABI indices suggest that this year could see more broad based growth. In addition to growth in private housing, the indices indicate that activity in 2014 will rise in public housing, education, offices, retail, leisure, factories and warehouses. Industrial factories and warehouses both showed the greatest increases compared with a year ago and both are expected to show double-digit growth in output this year. However, this is-more a reflection of the fact that the factories and warehouses sectors are coming from historic low points and activity is still less than half what it was at the pre-recession peak.