In this April 15, 2014 photo, Charles Rajecky packs a completed blender for warehousing at the Vitamix manufacturing facility in Strongsville, Ohio. The Commerce Department releases durable goods for March on Thursday, April 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
April 24, 2014 - 5:35 AM
WASHINGTON - Orders to U.S. factories for long-lasting manufactured goods posted a solid gain for the second straight month in March. A key category that signals business investment plans increased at the fastest pace in four months.
The Commerce Department says that orders for durable goods increased 2.6 per cent in March following a 2.1 per cent rise in February. Those back-to-back gains followed two big declines in December and January which had raised concerns about possible weakness in manufacturing.
Demand for core capital goods, considered a good guide for business investment plans, rose 2.2 per cent in March after a 1.1 per cent drop in February. It was the best showing since a 3 per cent rise in November.
Manufacturing seems to be recovering after a cold winter disrupted business activity.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014