November new housing starts were at a 1.289 million unit rate, down 1.8% from October and down 14.6% from the 1.510 million unit rate in November 2023. This is the lowest monthly start rate since July. The drop in starts in November mainly came from multi-family units, which came in at their lowest rate since March. However, permits, an indicator for future construction, increased after sliding in the previous two months.
Now up for the third consecutive month, total construction spending continued to increase in October. Total spending came in at a $2.174 trillion rate, up 0.4% from September and up 5.0% from the $2.071 trillion rate in October 2023. Despite the continued year-over-year increases, this was the smallest increase since April 2020. While non-residential construction declined, the boost in residential spending helped lift the overall number. Residential spending was up 1.5% from September and up 6.4% from October 2023.
Now up for the third consecutive month, total construction spending continued to increase in October. Total spending came in at a $2.174 trillion rate, up 0.4% from September and up 5.0% from the $2.071 trillion rate in October 2023. Despite the continued year-over-year increases, this was the smallest increase since April 2020. While non-residential construction declined, the boost in residential spending helped lift the overall number. Residential spending was up 1.5% from September and up 6.4% from October 2023.
Light vehicle production totaled 966,169 units in October, up 10.1% from September and up 14.5% from the strike-impacted 843,625 units last October. On per/day basis, auto production was at its highest daily rate since April. Sales have now increased, on a year-over-year basis, in consecutive months.
