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US construction spending falls for second month in February

FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2015 file photo, Construction worker David Rager, 53, frames a window in the upper floor of a two-story custom home being built in Orlando, Fla. The Commerce Department releases construction spending for February on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File) FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2015 file photo, Construction worker David Rager, 53, frames a window in the upper floor of a two-story custom home being built in Orlando, Fla. The Commerce Department releases construction spending for February on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

By Associated Press April 1, 2015 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. construction spending slipped for the second month in February, pulled down by a drop in single-family home building.

Construction spending fell 0.1 percent in February after a revised 1.7 percent drop in January, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday.

The result in part reflects bitter winter weather that likely constrained construction in many parts of the country during the month. Economists are hopeful for a rebound in the spring and summer as the economy strengthens.

Private spending on construction of single-family homes declined 1.4 percent, while spending on apartments was up 4.1 percent. Nonresidential construction spending rose 0.5 percent, led by a 5.5 percent jump in hotel construction and a 6.8 percent jump in factory construction.

Private economists had expected overall spending to be flat.