THE ECONOMY.(TO THE POINT)

Construction outlays rise in Aug.

The 0.2% rise to an annualized $882.7 bil was half the 0.4% gain expected. Private spending rose 0.1% to $665.4 bil. Residential spending jumped 1.4% to a $453.4 bil rate. Public outlays rose 0.6% to a $217.3 bil pace. But nonresidential spending fell 2.7%, the biggest drop in a year, despite a 1.9% rise in commercial building.

Mortgage demand lifts in week

The Mortgage Bankers Association of America's gauge of home loan demand last week rose 1.1% from the prior week to 707.2. Refi applications rose 3.2%, as 30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell 18 basis points to 5.67%. Mortgage applications for buying a home dipped 1.1% to 397.8.

Consumer comfort inches higher

The ABC News/Money magazine consumer comfort index rose to -19 last week from -20 the prior week, holding in the -16 to -21 range where it's been stuck for nearly five months. Of those polled, 27% still say the economy's in good shape and 38% think it's a good time to buy things. Now, 56% say their own finances are healthy, up from 55%.

Japan ...