US building spending for July -0.5% versus 0.0% anticipated.

Details from the US Census:

• Total construction spending fell -0.5% in July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,157.6 billion, from June’s revised $2,167.7 billion.
• Spending was down 3.8% from July 2025.
• Year-to-date spending totaled $1,244.6 billion through July, down 3.5% from the same period in 2025.

Private construction data for the month of July:

• Private construction spending fell 0.5% to $1,614.2 billion.
• Private residential spending declined 1.3% to $859.0 billion, leading the overall pullback.
• Private nonresidential spending rose 0.4% to $755.2 billion, providing a partial offset.

Public construction data for the the month of July

• Public construction spending slipped 0.2% to $543.4 billion.
• Public educational construction fell 0.2% to $112.3 billion.
• Public highway construction declined 0.2% to $150.3 billion.

Overall, a weaker report, with residential construction driving the monthly decline. Private nonresidential spending was the bright spot, but spending remained below year-earlier levels both in July and year to date.