WASHINGTON — A surge in demand for commercial aircraft lifted orders for big-ticket manufactured goods in September, but business spending weakened on products that signal expansion plans. The Commerce Department says orders for durable goods rose 3.3 percent last month. ...

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WASHINGTON — Sales of new homes improved last month after the worst summer in nearly five decades, but not enough to lift the struggling economy. The Commerce Department says new home sales in September grew 6.6 percent from a month ...

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WASHINGTON — Home construction rose slightly last month on the strength of single-family homes, but the market was still too weak to propel growth in the battered industry. The Commerce Department says construction of new homes and apartments rose 0.3 ...

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WASHINGTON — Americans spent last month at the fastest pace in four months, helped by a jump in demand for automobiles. Consumer spending rose 0.4 percent in July after three lackluster months, the Commerce Department said Monday. Spending fell 0.1 ...

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WASHINGTON — Sales of new homes dropped sharply last month to the slowest pace on record, the latest sign that the economic recovery is fading. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that new home sales fell 12.4 percent in July from ...

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