MW: Factory orders rise 0.9%, 5th increase in 6 months
By Rex Nutting
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - Orders for U.S. manufactured goods increased a seasonally adjusted 0.9% in September on gains in machinery, autos, defense goods and chemicals, the Commerce Department estimated Tuesday. Factory orders have risen in five of the past six months, but are down 13.9% in the first nine months of 2009 compared with the same period a year ago. September's 0.9% gain was stronger than the 0.6% increase expected by economists surveyed by MarketWatch. Orders for durable goods increased an upwardly revised 1.4% in September, compared with the 1% gain estimated last week. Orders and shipments for nondurable goods increased 0.6%. Inventories fell 1%, the 13th consecutive decline.
