Architectural billings remained mired in negative territory for a second-consecutive month in April, despite optimism that business conditions are improving, according to the American Institute of Architects Architectural Billings Index
Although the national index rose from 48.8 to 49.6 from March to April, only scores above 50 denote an increase in billings. The Midwest logged a slight increase, from 46.6 to 47, for the same period. Other regions logged dramatic downturns, with the East falling from 46.8 to 42.9 and the West from 50.7 to 48.9. Only the South remained in positive territory, rising from 52.8 to 57.5 between March and April.