U.S. factory orders rebounded in September, aided by strength in autos, heavy machinery, and military aircraft, the government reported Tuesday. The fifth increase in six months raised hopes that a revival in the manufacturing sector will help support a broader economic recovery. The Commerce Department said factory orders rose 0.9 percent in September, slightly better than analysts had expected. Demand increased for both durable goods-expensive manufactured items-and non-durable goods, such as chemicals and energy products. Durable-goods orders rose 1.4 percent. Orders for heavy machinery jumped 7.9 percent, the biggest gain in 18 months. There also was strong demand for military aircraft, which helped to offset a second consecutive drop in orders for commercial airplanes. Orders for non-durable goods rose 0.6 percent in September-following a 0.9 percent increase the previous month-led by petroleum, chemicals, and food products. The better-than-expected government factory-orders report followed a report Monday from the private Institute for Supply Management that its index of U.S. manufacturing activity grew in October at the fastest pace in more than three years. --SPA
