MW: U.S. Oct. factory orders up 0.6% vs flat expected
By Greg Robb
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - Orders for U.S. factory goods expanded in October for the six month out of the last seven, the Commerce Department reported Friday. Factory orders increased 0.6% in October, above the flat reading expected by economists surveyed by MarketWatch. Analysts had expected a weak report after an advanced report last week that orders for durable-goods decreased 0.6% in October. But the more complete data showed that overall factory orders rose led by 1.6% jump in nondurable-goods orders. Core capital equipment orders fell 3.4% in October, revised down from a 2.9% fall estimated a week ago, the government said. Inventories rose 0.4% in October, the first gain following 13 straight declines.
