By Ruth Mantell
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Orders for U.S.-made durable goods fell in October, declining 0.6% on weaker demand for machinery, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. Excluding transportation goods, orders fell 1.3%. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had expected a gain of 0.5% for durable-goods orders, and a gain of 0.4% for orders excluding transportation. Durable goods orders had gained 2% in September, and were up 1.8% excluding transportation. Shipments of durable goods fell 0.2% in October, pulled down by transportation equipment. Inventories fell slightly, and have been down for 10 consecutive months.
