Durable Goods Orders Generally Strong in January

Washington, DC, Feb. 27, 2013 -- Durable goods orders fell in January on weaker demand for aircraft, but orders were generally strong elsewhere, according to the Commerce Department.

Orders sank 5.2% last month, but rose 1.9% with transportation excluded, the fifth straight monthly advance.

The increase was the strongest in more than a year.

The government also said that non-defense capital goods orders excluding aircraft jumped 6.3%, the biggest gain since December 2011, after declining 0.3% in December, indicating that business activity is increasing.