Durable Goods Orders Surge in February

Washington, DC, March 26, 2014 -- Durable goods orders rose the most in three months in February, according to the Commerce Department.

Orders climbed 2.2% to a seasonally adjusted $229.4 billion. Economists expected a flat reading.

The increase was mostly due to higher demand for commercial aircraft and autos.

Without the transportation sector, orders rose 0.2%.

Orders for core capital goods orders fell 1.3% in February.

January's durable-goods number was revised down to a 1.3% decline instead of a 1% drop.