U.S. construction spending flat in April

WASHINGTON — U.S. construction spending remained unchanged in April as homebuilding activity fell, according to data from the U.S. Commerce Department. Government spending on public infrastructure offset the decline in home construction. April’s lack of movement follows on a slight uptick of 0.1% in March, which was revised up from an initial estimate of a sharp decline. All told, spending in the private sector fell 1.7%, the largest decrease in six years. It was the fourth consecutive monthly decline for residential construction.