According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Architecture billings index was 50.6 in February-up 0.6 points from January the fourth consecutive reading above 50. The AIA's new project index however fell just slightly (0.1 points) to 56.4.
The billings index was highest in the Midwest and Southern US, with readings above 50, but lowest in the West and Northeast where the index was below 50.
The AIA architecture billings index gauges the status of the US nonresidential construction market, which is predicted to recover incrementally until at least 2012.