U.S.construction spending jumps 1.4% in October (by Greg Robb)

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - Outlays for U.S. construction projects surged in October, the Commerce Department reported Monday. Construction spending rose 1.4% in October, well above analysts' expectations of a 0.5% gain. In October, spending on private construction rose 1.6% while spending on public projects rose 0.8%. Spending on private homebuilding surged 3.0% in the month.