WASHINGTON (AP) — Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket manufactured goods rose in September as the biggest jump in demand for machinery in 18 months offset weakness in commercial aircraft and autos.
The Commerce Department says orders for durable goods increased 1 percent last month, matching economists’ expectations. Excluding transportation, orders rose 0.9 percent, slightly better than the 0.7 percent that economists had forecast.
The second advance in three months for items expected to last at least three years is a hopeful sign for the manufacturing sector, which has helped lead the early stages of the fledgling economic recovery. But many economists worry that demand could falter in the months ahead as various government stimulus programs wind down.
Business
<img src=" http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/wednesday.gif" border=0> Durable goods orders rise 1 percent in September
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