The American Institute of Architects’ Architectural Billings Index (ABI) is a leading indicator of growth in the construction industry.

Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings relative to the previous month (and therefore an increase in construction activity) while a score below 50 indicates a decline. The most recent ABI score is 48.5: indicating slight decrease going forward.

The Midwest region saw the highest value at 51.2, while other three regions all saw values below 50. The residential sector is the only sectoral figure to register shrinking, with an impressive 41.5 value. This sector has been shrinking since September 2023 with a value of 47.9. Both commercial and institutional sectors’ billings had been decreasing for the past five months but began to increase this April.