The Architecture Billings Index (ABI), an indicator of future nonresidential construction spending, remained in negative territory for the second consecutive month. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported an April ABI score of 49.6, up slightly from a mark of 48.8 in March. Index scores below 50 indicate a contraction in billing reports.

The negative April ABI score reflects a decrease in design activity, though the new projects inquiry index reached 59.1, up from a reading of 57.9 the previous month. The AIA added a new indicator measuring the trends in new design contracts at architecture firms to the April report, which can provide a strong signal of the direction of future architecture billings. The score for design contracts in April was 54.6.

"Despite an easing in demand for architecture services over the last couple of months, there is a pervading sense of optimism that business conditions are poised to improve as the year moves on," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. "With a healthy figure for design contracts this should translate into improved billings in the near future."

Three of the four regional ABI averages, which are measured on a three-month moving average, were negative.
In the South, the score was 57.5, while the West reached 48.9, the Midwest scored 47.0 and the Northeast's average was 42.9.

Billing averages by market sector, also measured on a three-month average, included multi-family residential firms at 52.6, commercial/industrial companies at 50.2, mixed practice firms at 50.7 and institutional
firms at 47.1.