New orders for U.S.-made capital goods unexpectedly fell in January after three straight months of strong gains but did little to change views that manufacturing was recovering from a prolonged slump amid rising commodity prices.
New orders for U.S.-made capital goods increased more than expected in December amid rising demand for machinery and electrical equipment, suggesting the oil-related drag on manufacturing was fading.
Business equipment and capital goods orders fell unexpectedly in December for the fourth straight month. The weight of the recent economic slowdown is heavily hitting American companies.
Orders for U.S. equipment such as computers and machinery climbed less than forecast in August, indicating a strengthening in business spending will take time to develop.
