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The ABI score rose to 47.6 in October from 43.3 in September, indicating that while a majority of firms still saw a decline in their billings, the share was smaller than it was last month. Inquiries into new projects also saw their most significant increase in a year and a half. Despite this positive movement, challenges persist as the value of new design contracts decreased again.

“Architecture firms estimate that billings declined modestly this year. Unfortunately, they are not expecting a significant turnaround in 2026,” said Kermit Baker, PhD, AIA Chief Economist. “About a third of firms nationally project that their billings will increase this coming year, and a slightly higher share expect them to remain about the same. Firms with a multifamily specialization are the most optimistic about prospects for 2026.”

Key ABI highlights for October include:
•    Regional averages: Midwest (49.6); South (45.3); Northeast (45.1); West (42.1)
•    Sector index breakdown: multifamily residential (46.8); commercial/industrial (43.9); institutional (46.1); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (44.0)
•    Project inquiries index: 54.8
•    Design contracts index: 47.1

The regional and sector categories are calculated as three-month moving averages and may not always average out to the national score.