Construction Spending Declines in January

Spending declined in January for both residential and non-residential private construction. This is additional evidence that the non-residential slowdown is here.

From the Census Bureau: January 2008 Construction at $1,121.5 Billion Annual Rate

Spending on private construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $827.4 billion, 2.2 percent below the revised December estimate of $845.7 billion.

Residential construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $455.8 billion in January, 3.0 percent below the revised December estimate of $469.7 billion.

Nonresidential construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $371.6 billion in January, 1.2 percent below the revised December estimate of $376.0 billion.

Click on graph for larger image.

The graph shows private residential and nonresidential construction spending since 1993.

Over the last couple of years, as residential spending has declined, nonresidential has been very strong. This is additional evidence - along with the Fed's Loan Officer Survey and other data - that suggests the slowdown in nonresidential spending is here.