Increase in private non-housing boosts construction spending as presidential polls open

US construction spending fell by less than expected last month, thanks to a slight increase in non-residential building.

The commerce department said that expenditure fell by 0.3% in September – less than the 0.8% predicted by many economists.

The fall was driven by a decline in housebuilding and a 1.3% drop in spending on government projects – the sharpest fall since January. Private construction rose by 0.1%.

The figures come as US citizens go to the polls to pick their 44th president amid the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression of the thirties.

In a frantic final day of campaigning yesterday, Republican John McCain urged supporters in Florida and Arizona to make “one last push” for victory.

Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Barack Obama, who is ahead in the polls, told voters he had one word for them: “Tomorrow”.

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