Factory Orders Increase Most Since 2006

Washington, DC, March 4, 2011 -- New orders for manufactured goods grew 3.1% in January, the largest gain since September of 2006, according to the Commerce Department.

New orders for transportation equipment grew 27.3%. Economists had expected overall new orders to rise 2%.

Excluding transportation, new orders gained 0.7%. Orders for durable goods rose 3.2% in January, up from a prior estimate of 2.7%.