U.S. factory orders up 2.1 percent in September

Factory orders in the United States increased by 2.1 percent in September, the strongest gain since the series began in 1992, the Commerce Department reported on Thursday.

The department said that new orders to the nation's manufacturing sector rose by 8.6 billion dollars to 411.2 billion dollars in September.

Order for durable goods, items expected to last for more than three years, increased by 8.3 percent to 228.1 billion dollars in September, revised from the previously published 7.8 percent increase. This was at the highest level since the series began and followed a slight August increase.

Orders for nondurable goods, decreased 8.9 billion dollars or 4. 6 percent to 183.1 billion dollars.

Inventories, up 11 of the last 12 months, increased 3.0 billion dollars or 0.6 percent to 479.4 billion dollars in September, following a 0.6 percent August increase.

Source: Xinhua