M&A activity in the North American Construction and Engineering sector for Q4 2013 through February 1, 2014 included 86 deals announced or closed according to data provided by S&P Capital IQ. According to data published by global consulting firm Ernst and Young, 2014 could show a significant uptick in M&A for a sector that has been negatively impacted since the global recession in 2008. According to data from the US Census Bureau, privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in December 2013 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 986,000. This is 3.0% below the revised November rate of 1,017,000, but is 4.6% above the December 2012 estimate of 943,000. Privately-owned housing starts in December were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 999,000. This is 9.8% below the revised November estimate of 1,107,000, but is 1.6% above the December 2012 rate of 983,000. The numbers marked the highest level of housing starts since February 2008, with permits also near a five-year high, indicating an increase in activity will likely continue through 2014.
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