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Marketplace · Wednesday, July 1, 2026

US Construction Spending Fell in May, Driven by Housing Market Weakness

The Census Bureau reported a year-on-year decrease in overall construction spending for May. Spending on single-family home construction specifically dropped by 4% compared to May of the previous year, attributed to elevated mortgage rates and high price-to-income ratios.

personRobert DeetzcompanyCensus Bureau

The tape

3 quotes
The Census Bureau reported this morning that overall construction spending in this economy in the month of May was down year on year.
If you dig a little bit, you'll find spending on single family home construction was off 4% from May a year ago.
Ongoing elevated mortgage interest rates and an elevated price to income ratio.
Robert Deetz
Heard on Marketplace — “What would make Kevin Warsh consider a "Fed put?", published Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Heardvine summarizes and quotes with attribution and timestamps, and links to the original everywhere.
Transcribed via Gemini audio transcription · $0.04
US Construction Spending Fell in May, Driven by Housing Market Weakness — Heardvine