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US building and construction spending falls in August on single-family homebuilding

U.S. building spending all of a sudden fell in August amid a sharp drop in expenses on singlefamily housing jobs, but declining borrowing expenses could stimulate activity in the months ahead.

The Commerce Department's Census Bureau said on Tuesday building costs dipped 0.1% after a downwardly revised 0.5% drop in July. Financial experts surveyed had anticipated building spending would edge up 0.1% after a previously reported 0.3% decline.

Construction spending increased 4.1% on a year-on-year basis in August.

Investing in personal building and construction jobs slipped 0.2% in August after decreasing 0.7% in July. Financial investment in domestic building fell 0.3% with outlays on new single-family jobs plunging 1.5%.

The rising supply of new homes on the market is preventing builders from beginning on brand-new housing tasks.

That, together with buyers holding out for lower mortgage rates could, in the near term, limit the boost from declining borrowing expenses. The Federal Reserve last month cut interest rates for the first time in 4 years. The U.S. reserve bank is anticipated to reduce rates once again in November and December.

Mortgage rates are at two-year lows, while the inventory of new homes is at levels last seen in early 2008.

Spending on multi-family housing systems fell 0.4%. However costs on home remodellings increased.

Financial investment in personal non-residential structures like workplaces and factories dipped 0.1%.

Investing in public construction projects advanced 0.3% after rising 0.5% in July. State and local government spending increased 0.3% and expenses on federal government jobs increased 0.5%.

(source: Reuters)