Durable Goods Orders Tick Higher in April

Washington, DC, May 24, 2012 -- Durable goods orders ticked up 0.2% in April, the second rise in three months, according to the Commerce Department.

The government said that durable-goods orders reached a seasonally adjusted $215.5 billion after dropping 3.7% in March.

Economists had anticipated a slight fall of 0.4% in April.

March’s orders were revised to show a 3.7% drop instead of a previously reported 4% decline.

Durable-goods orders have increased 8.6% year-to-date, compared to the same period of 2011.