US construction spending up 0.8 per cent in November

WASHINGTON – U.S. construction spending edged up in November as a gain in home building helped offset weakness in nonresidential construction.

The Commerce Department said Friday that construction spending rose 0.8 per cent in November after a 0.1 per cent gain in October and a 1.8 per cent fall in September.

The strength in November came from a 3.5 per cent jump in spending on home building. That reflected a 2.6 per cent increase in apartment construction which offset a 1.8 per cent drop in single-family construction.

Non-residential construction fell 1.2 per cent, with spending on offices and the category that covers shopping centres both down.

Public construction activity was also down in November, falling 0.9 per cent after a 1.5 per cent gain in October.

Release of the November construction report had been delayed because of the partial government shutdown.