New construction starts dipped 14% in October to $434.9 billion, reports McGraw-Hill Construction. Much of the decline was due to a sharp pullback by the electric power and gas plant sector after a robust September. If this volatile project type is excluded from the month-to-month comparisons, total construction starts in October would register a 3% gain. Greater activity was reported in October for the public works sector, while both nonresidential building and housing settled back. Through the first ten months of 2012, total construction starts was $390.4 billion, a 4% gain relative to the same period a year ago. For the full report , CLICK HERE.
