Skyscraper Index

The skyscraper index, created by economist Andrew Lawrence shows a correlation between the construction of the world's tallest building and the business cycle.

Predicting ability
The ability of the index to predict economic collapse is surprising. For example, the Panic of 1907 was presaged by the building of the Singer Building (completed in 1908) and the Metropolitan Life Building (completed in 1909). The skyscraper index also accurately predicted the Great Depression with the completion of 40 Wall Tower in 1929, the Chrysler Building in 1930, and the Empire State Building in 1931.

There are, however, important exceptions - the skyscraper index has not predicted all major economic collapses such as the depressions of 1920–21, 1937–38, and 1981–82 and has predicted economic collapse when downturns were relatively mild such as 1913 and the early 1970s.

Links

 * Skyscrapers 'linked with impending financial crashes', BBC News, January 2012
 * The Skies the Limit: An Interview with Mark Thornton by Tim Swanson, June 2012
 * Skyscrapers and the Housing Crisis by Mark Thornton, July 2010
 * Skyscraper Index is Flashing Red Alert by Doug French, October 2013
 * Skyscrapers and the Housing Crisis by Mark Thornton, July 2010
 * Skyscraper Index is Flashing Red Alert by Doug French, October 2013
 * Skyscraper Index is Flashing Red Alert by Doug French, October 2013
 * Skyscraper Index is Flashing Red Alert by Doug French, October 2013