WASHINGTON — Companies placed more orders with U.S. factories in May from April, demanding more computers, machinery and other equipment that signal investment plans. The increase is a welcome sign after two months of declining factory orders. Still, factory orders ...

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WASHINGTON — Companies placed fewer orders to U.S. factories for the second straight month and a key measure that tracks business investment plans fell, adding to evidence that the economy is weakening. The Commerce Department said Monday that orders for ...

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WASHINGTON — Demand for U.S. factory goods dropped in March by the most in three years, driven lower by a sharp fall in volatile orders for commercial aircraft. Still, more recent data suggest the decline may be temporary. The Commerce ...

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WASHINGTON — Companies decreased their overall orders to U.S. factories in October for the second straight month, evidence that the economy remains weak despite other signs of improvement. The Commerce Department said Monday that total factory orders fell 0.4 percent. ...

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WASHINGTON — U.S. businesses cut back on orders for airplanes, autos and heavy machinery in June, lowering demand for factory goods for the second time in three months. The Commerce Department says orders to U.S. factories fell 0.8 percent in ...

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WASHINGTON — Businesses requested more airplanes, autos, and oil drilling equipment in May The jump in factory orders after a sluggish spring suggests supply disruptions stemming from the Japan crisis are fading. Factory orders rose 0.8 percent in May, the ...

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WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. businesses added to their stockpiles in February for a 14th straight month and sales increased for an eighth consecutive month. The gains suggest factory orders will rise in the coming months. Business inventories rose 0.5 percent ...

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WASHINGTON — U.S. factories orders fell in February, as the government cut demand for military planes and communications equipment while businesses bought fewer computers, turbines and power generators. The Commerce Department says orders to U.S. factories slipped 0.1 percent in ...

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WASHINGTON — Businesses ordered more manufactured goods from U.S. factories in January, but excluding a big surge in demand for airplanes, the rise in demand was the smallest in three months. The Commerce Department says that excluding the volatile transportation ...

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