Durable Goods Orders Surge in December

Washington, DC, Jan. 28, 2013 -- Orders for durable goods rose in December, largely because of defense and transportation spending, according to the Commerce Department.

Overall orders were up 4.6% from November to a seasonally adjusted $230.74 billion, the Commerce Department said Monday. Orders in November rose a revised 0.7%.

New orders for transportation equipment increased 11.9%.