Factory Orders Post 1.7 Percent January Rise

[steven johnson]

The economic recovery is on track

Orders to U.S. factories posted the biggest increase in four months in January, led by a surge in demand for commercial aircraft. The increase was another sign that manufacturing is helping to support the economic recovery.

The Commerce Department said Thursday that factory orders rose 1.7 percent in January, slightly below the 1.8 percent gain economists had expected. It was the best showing since a 1.8 percent advance in September.

Orders for durable goods, items expected to last three years, increased 2.6 percent. That was slightly lower than the a preliminary estimate the government made last week that durable goods orders had risen 3 percent in January.

Orders for nondurable goods, items such as chemicals, paper and food, rose by 0.9 percent in January following a gain of 1.3 percent in December.


Factory Orders Post 1.7 Percent January Rise

[bobburgster]

1. Where did you find the good news, on the back page of the paper.

It certainly wouldn't bump Palin's latest escapade off pg. 1

[cutlassmama]

2. Probably due to income tax refunds. I wouldn't get very excited over this.

[dmallind]

3. It was "inventory rebuild" last month, now tax refunds?

I guess that covers you through May. What happens if it goes up after that? Let me guess, summer spending? Wedding gift season? When is it just things getting better eh?