The Lighting Economy

Strong market, shaky confidence — business is steady, but nerves are not.

Strong market, shaky confidence — business is steady, but nerves are not.

Large distributor chains see flat-ish 2024 revenues. Plus, keen industry insights into tariff uncertainty.

Large distributor chains see flat-ish 2024 revenues. Plus, keen industry insights into tariff uncertainty.

Inflation and high interest rates slow new design contracts and project starts

Inflation and high interest rates slow new design contracts and project starts

$400+ million projects get rolling in Ohio, Virginia and Colorado

$400+ million projects get rolling in Ohio, Virginia and Colorado

Are commercial lighting rebates disappearing? Not quite.

Are commercial lighting rebates disappearing? Not quite.

NEMA survey panelists report strong orders but brace for tariff-driven disruptions

NEMA survey panelists report strong orders but brace for tariff-driven disruptions

Lighting companies face cost hikes and urgent pricing adjustments amid trade policy shifts

Lighting companies face cost hikes and urgent pricing adjustments amid trade policy shifts

Electrical reps announce new leadership. Plus, amid mixed markets, contractor confidence remains high.

Electrical reps announce new leadership. Plus, amid mixed markets, contractor confidence remains high.

Inquiries see modest growth while design contracts decline further

Inquiries see modest growth while design contracts decline further

Two $1B+ mega projects get rolling in Virginia, with big plans in Ohio and Illinois, too

Two $1B+ mega projects get rolling in Virginia, with big plans in Ohio and Illinois, too

Survey respondents faced flat Q4 but hopes rise for 2025

Survey respondents faced flat Q4 but hopes rise for 2025

$750+ million projects get rolling in New York, Mississippi and North Carolina

$750+ million projects get rolling in New York, Mississippi and North Carolina

Distributor expansions and executive moves shape recent happenings in the electrical sector

Distributor expansions and executive moves shape recent happenings in the electrical sector

2025 Outlook: Profitability and fee negotiations are key priorities for many firms

2025 Outlook: Profitability and fee negotiations are key priorities for many firms

Most NEMA panelists forecast improved conditions in the coming six months

Most NEMA panelists forecast improved conditions in the coming six months

Activist groups claim streetlighting violates endangered species protections

Activist groups claim streetlighting violates endangered species protections

Michigan and Florida lead with billion-dollar developments breaking ground

Michigan and Florida lead with billion-dollar developments breaking ground

Acquisitions and expansions shape recent electrical distribution developments

Acquisitions and expansions shape recent electrical distribution developments

After 20 months of decline, October architecture billings show a balanced score

After 20 months of decline, October architecture billings show a balanced score

Stakeholders report stable orders with supply chain challenges lingering

Stakeholders report stable orders with supply chain challenges lingering

Large 300+ million projects get rolling in Texas and Illinois

Large 300+ million projects get rolling in Texas and Illinois

Expansions, key appointments, and legal challenges shape recent distribution developments

Expansions, key appointments, and legal challenges shape recent distribution developments

Western U.S. firms and multifamily sector show the most softness in the most recent survey

Western U.S. firms and multifamily sector show the most softness in the most recent survey

$600+ million projects get rolling in California, Wyoming and Wisconsin

$600+ million projects get rolling in California, Wyoming and Wisconsin

Industry leaders remain optimistic despite looming election and interest rate concerns

Industry leaders remain optimistic despite looming election and interest rate concerns

Outdoor lighting manufacturer enters new phase with private equity backing

Outdoor lighting manufacturer enters new phase with private equity backing

Large $300+ million projects get rolling in Minnesota, Iowa and New Mexico

Large $300+ million projects get rolling in Minnesota, Iowa and New Mexico

Slight growth possible from year-end projects, but market slowdown fears persist.

Slight growth possible from year-end projects, but market slowdown fears persist.

Regional distributor acquisitions continue while large chains expand their geographical footprints

Regional distributor acquisitions continue while large chains expand their geographical footprints

Billings in the multifamily sector fall for 24 consecutive months, remaining sluggish

Billings in the multifamily sector fall for 24 consecutive months, remaining sluggish

$400+ million projects get rolling in Pennsylvania, Texas and Arizona

$400+ million projects get rolling in Pennsylvania, Texas and Arizona

Survey shows growing market confidence, but panelists remain cautious about upcoming election uncertainties

Survey shows growing market confidence, but panelists remain cautious about upcoming election uncertainties

$800+ million megaprojects get rolling in North Carolina, Mississippi and Alabama

$800+ million megaprojects get rolling in North Carolina, Mississippi and Alabama

Contractor confidence in profit margins dips slightly as one construction economist states, "America is headed into recession."

Contractor confidence in profit margins dips slightly as one construction economist states, "America is headed into recession."

Declining billings for architecture firms continues, but an increase in project inquiries offers hope

Declining billings for architecture firms continues, but an increase in project inquiries offers hope

Optimism grows as respondents foresee better conditions six months ahead

Optimism grows as respondents foresee better conditions six months ahead

A flurry of electrical distributor acquisitions. Plus, rising costs show some early signs of retreating.

A flurry of electrical distributor acquisitions. Plus, rising costs show some early signs of retreating.

Value of newly signed design contracts drops for third month in a row

Value of newly signed design contracts drops for third month in a row

Commercial property values drop 13.5% since mid-2022, with office and apartment sectors hardest hit

Commercial property values drop 13.5% since mid-2022, with office and apartment sectors hardest hit

Despite a healthy S&P 500, many lighting stocks lag significantly behind

Despite a healthy S&P 500, many lighting stocks lag significantly behind

Future conditions component among electrical manufacturers peaks at highest level since Spring 2021

Future conditions component among electrical manufacturers peaks at highest level since Spring 2021

The just-published Pulse of Lighting report reveals a "challenged" lighting market

The just-published Pulse of Lighting report reveals a "challenged" lighting market

For the third consecutive month, every building category and every region shows a drop in billings

For the third consecutive month, every building category and every region shows a drop in billings

Total construction starts rise in the Midwest, South Atlantic and South Central regions but fell in the Northeast and West regions

Total construction starts rise in the Midwest, South Atlantic and South Central regions but fell in the Northeast and West regions

Elections, inflation, and tariffs contribute to mixed expectations among industry stakeholders

Elections, inflation, and tariffs contribute to mixed expectations among industry stakeholders