By Canadian Press

US durable goods orders rose in February, led by aircraft

Mar 24, 2017 | 5:45 AM

WASHINGTON — Greater demand for commercial aircraft helped U.S. businesses increase their orders for long-lasting manufactured goods in February, but a key category that tracks business investment plans slipped slightly.

The Commerce Department said Friday that orders for durable goods rose 1.7 per cent in February and an upwardly revised 2.3 per cent in January. Orders so far this year are running 1.6 per cent higher than in the first two months of 2016.

The growth indicates that manufacturers are steadily recovering from a rough patch that began in 2015 when lower energy prices and slower economic growth worldwide cut into demand for U.S. factory goods. The report contained some weakness in a few sectors such as motor vehicles, but it is among several indicators that point to an ongoing rebound.

“Manufacturing surveys appear to promise much stronger numbers, so we’re hoping for better news ahead,” said Ian Shepherdson, chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.

Today’s report echoes the recent strength of the surveys in suggesting that … business equipment investment has continued to rebound in the first quarter.

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Orders for commercial aircraft saw a 47.6 per cent jump in February. Orders also rose for primary metals. But demand for motor vehicles slumped.

Orders in a category that reflects business investment plans — and excludes aircraft and military goods — fell 0.1 per cent last month after a modest gain in January. But that category remains stronger this year than during the opening months of last year.

Other reports indicate that manufacturing is on an upswing.

The Federal Reserve has said that U.S. factory output improved for the sixth consecutive month in February, rising a seasonally adjusted 0.5 per cent from January.

And separately, the Institute for Supply Management said that factory activity improved at the strongest pace in more than two years. Its manufacturing index reached 57.7 last month, the best reading since October 2014. Any reading above 50 signals growth.

Durable goods are items intended to last at least three years such as household appliances, computers and industrial machinery.

Josh Boak, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

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US durable goods orders rose in February, led by aircraft

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