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April factory orders were up, slightly, for third straight month

Jun 4, 2024
The 0.7% increase signals a healthy tone for manufacturing, at least relative to recent weak readings for construction and consumer spending.
Demand for construction and industrial equipment was up about 2% in April from March, boosted by federal infrastructure funding. Above, construction on a semiconductor plant in Texas.
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Why U.S. factory orders just dipped after four straight months of gains

Sep 5, 2023
Order numbers are somewhat distorted by a volatile, expensive durable goods category: commercial airplanes.
"Boeing orders fell to only 52 planes in July," said Sam Stovall at CFRA Research. "That is what really dragged down the overall factory order."
Stephen Brashear/Getty Images