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US economic figures encouraging
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Businesses in the United States stepped up their orders for long-lasting manufactured goods in November, while a key category that signals business investment plans climbed at the fastest pace in 10 months.
The surge in orders for durable goods, which are products expected to last at least three years, was the latest evidence of a rebound in manufacturing. The gains will provide support for the economy into 2014.
The Commerce Department said yesterday that orders for durable goods jumped 3.5 percent last month compared with October, when they had fallen 0.7 percent. The increase was led by a 21.8 percent surge in demand for commercial aircraft, which can be volatile.
Core capital goods, a category that tracks business investment, rose 4.5 percent, the biggest gain since January. This category is seen as a gauge of business plans to expand and modernize and as a measure of business confidence.
Economists said the stronger-than-expected November gain and a revision for October, which had previously been reported as a sharper 1.6 percent drop, were encouraging signs.
“Nearly all of the major industries saw more orders coming in during November,” said Jennifer Lee, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets.
She noted that machinery, fabricated metals, computers and electronics and communications equipment all showed solid gains.
Last month’s rise in core capital goods, a category that excludes defense and aircraft, followed drops of 0.7 percent in October and 1.2 percent in September. It was the strongest gain since an 8.9 percent increase in January.
Demand for transport products rose 8.4 percent, led by a surge in commercial aircraft orders. Orders for motor vehicles and parts added 3.3 percent. Automakers have been enjoying a banner sales year. Orders for communications equipment jumped 13 percent. Demand rose 5.3 percent for computers and 3.8 percent for machinery.
Other reports have also signaled a strengthening manufacturing sector.
The Institute for Supply Management has reported that its gauge of manufacturing activity rose in November at the fastest pace in 2 1/2 years. Factories ramped up production and hiring.
According to the ISM gauge, manufacturing activity has expanded for six straight months after hitting a rough patch in the spring. A separate report showed that factories raised output in November for a fourth straight month, led by a surge in auto production.
The government said last week the economy grew at a 4.1 percent annual rate in the July-September quarter.
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