Construction Activity Slips One Percent in October
Contracting for new construction dropped 1 percent in October 2001 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $490.1 billion, according to the F.W. Dodge Div. of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
October's data produced a reading of 148 for the Dodge Indes (1996=100)), compared to a revised 149 for September. After beginning the year at 153, the Dodge Index receded to 142 by August, so the September and October levels were within the upper half of this year's range of contracting.