Factory orders increased in March
Orders placed with U.S. factories rose more than forecast in March, Bloomberg reported. Orders for goods climbed 3 percent, a fifth consecutive monthly increase, after a 0.7 percent February advance, according to the Commerce Department.
Economists surveyed by Bloomberg News had projected a 2 percent increase. Experts say an increasing demand for machinery and computers points to gains in business spending. Demand from fast-growing countries such as China and Brazil is spurring U.S. exports of machinery and consumer goods.