Architecture Billings Index holds at 50; Business conditions stronger in Midwest

The Architecture Billings Index remained virtually unchanged in first quarter 2011 and right at, or slightly above, the break-even level, according to an April 20 release from the American Institute of Architects, Washington, D.C. The groupreported the March ABI score was 50.5, a negligible decrease from a reading of 50.6 the previous month. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending.

On a regional basis, the Midwest posted a score of 53.5; the Northeast a score of 51.4; the West a score of 50.6; and the South a score of 49.7, according to the release.

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