Total construction posted an 0.2% decline on a monthly basis, but recorded a solid 5% pickup from the year-earlier total.

Construction spending in the U.S. fell by 0.2% in December, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.18 billion, according to the U.S. Dept. of Commerce’s Census Bureau.

Industry economists note that Nov. $1.18-trillion rate was highest since 2006; nonresidential sector's level strongest in eight years.

Census Bureau reports October spending up a slight 0.5% from September but rose 3.4% from October 2015.

Spending dips 0.4% from August level and 0.2% compared with year-earlier figure, Census Bureau reports.

Completed projects decline 0.5% from previous month but climb 10.3% year over year, Census Bureau says.

Highway construction has banner month, climbing 14.6% from December, surging 33.9% year over year, Census Bureau reports.

Full-year completed construction total shows solid gain but December's rate was up only 0.1% from November.

Census Bureau reports completed projects' volume declines 0.4% from October but gains 10.5% from November 2014 level.

Census Bureau reports September finished construction up 0.6% from August and 14.1% from year-earlier level.