Chances may be improving for resolving a long-running trade dispute over pricing of Canadian softwood-lumber shipments to the U.S.

Commerce Dept. says construction spending declines 1.3% on monthly basis but climbs 1.6% vs. June 2016.

U.S. lumber companies praise Commerce Dept. action, but Canada vows a strong defense.

Census Bureau reports October spending up a slight 0.5% from September but rose 3.4% from October 2015.

Spending dips 0.4% from August level and 0.2% compared with year-earlier figure, Census Bureau reports.

Non-residential sector dips 1% from May and year-earlier figures.

Value of completed projects rose 1% from September and climbed 13% year over year, Commerce Dept. says.

Census Bureau reports September finished construction up 0.6% from August and 14.1% from year-earlier level.