Contracts signed for new construction in October...

Contracts signed for new construction in October rose 6% over those signed in September and were dominated by public works projects, according to a survey. The contracts were worth a seasonally adjusted $261.4 billion, up from $247.4 billion in September, the F. W. Dodge division of McGraw-Hill Information Systems Co. said. The monthly report, which measures the value of building projects to be started in coming months, offers an indication of the direction and future strength of that sector of the economy. Its Dodge index, a seasonally adjusted indicator based on a figure of 100 for 1982, stood at 166 in October, compared to September’s 157.