The graph you’re looking at is a fictional stock index made up of real stock data. After scouring the web for AEC market data we got tired of coming up empty and decided to roll our own.

We ended up pulling together 12 different stocks from companies that in one way or another practice architecture, engineering, and/or construction. If you know how much of this market is privately owned you are probably as surprised as we were that there were even 12 of these companies to find.

The results are pretty interesting and it’s too bad this isn’t a real stock. If you invested $1,000 back in January of 2006 you would have more than doubled your money by August of 2014 which seriously outperforms the general market. 2010, ’11, and ’12 all show what appear to be seasonal dips while 2013 was nothing but gains. The jury is still out on 2014 but our money says that the market is ripe for another small dip.

In the coming weeks we’ll be looking to automate the construction of this index which will enable us to deliver a daily market indicator to our readers. Stay tuned.