U.S. construction spending returned to growth in March 2026, rising 0.6% month-over-month and reversing a decline seen earlier in the year. The latest data, updated on 7 May 2026, show a clear improvement from January 2026, when spending fell 0.3% compared with the prior month.
The March figure is measured on a month-over-month basis, comparing construction activity in March to that of February, while the earlier -0.3% reading reflected January’s performance versus December. The shift from contraction to expansion suggests that construction activity gained momentum as the first quarter progressed, offering a more positive signal for a sector closely watched as an indicator of broader U.S. economic health.