May construction rates total $556.1 billion.

NEW YORK - New construction starts for May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $556.1 billion, up 1 percent compared to the previous month, according to figures released by McGraw-Hill Construction.

Nonresidential building registered its strongest performance so far in 2004, outweighing a modest retreat for housing and a more substantial decline for "nonbuilding" construction, such as public works and electric utilities.