U.S. construction spending unexpectedly falls in November

Reuters

Published Jan 02, 2015 10:06AM ET

U.S. construction spending unexpectedly falls in November

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - U.S. construction spending unexpectedly fell in November, held back by a drop in government outlays and by less money spent by businesses on projects other than homes.

Construction spending fell 0.3 percent, the first decline since June, to an annual rate of $975 billion, the Commerce Department said on Friday.

October's construction outlays were revised up to show a 1.2 percent gain instead of the previously reported 1.1 percent increase. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast construction spending rising 0.3 percent in November.