Orders for long-lasting factory goods increased for the fifth consecutive month in September, the latest sign manufacturing companies are recovering from supply-chain disruptions and shutdowns related to the coronavirus pandemic.
New orders for durable goods—products designed to last at least three years—rose 1.9% in September compared with August, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.
A closely watched proxy for business investment—new orders for nondefense capital goods excluding aircraft—increased by 1% last month. The measure had recovered all of its pandemic-related losses by August.
Orders for transportation equipment helped drive overall gains in September. Excluding transportation, orders were up 0.8%.
U.S. factories were hit by health concerns, supply chain breakdowns and shutdowns early in the coronavirus crisis. But efforts to reopen the economy have helped manufacturers regain much of the ground lost in March and April.
