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 鈥� 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 鈥� 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 鈥渙ne last push鈥� for victory.

Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Barack Obama, who is ahead in the polls, told voters he had one word for them: 鈥淭omorrow鈥�.

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