U.S. construction spending dips in December

WASHINGTON — U.S. construction spending edged down 0.2 percent in December, as the year with the first overall decline in eight years drew to a close. According to the U.S. Commerce Department, the decrease was the first since June’s 0.9 percent drop. Construction spending for 2019 was down 0.3 percent, the first decline since spending fell by 2.6 percent in 2011.