US factory orders up 2.7 percent in October
WASHINGTON — Orders to U.S. factories rose in October by the largest amount in 16 months but a key category that tracks business investment posted an anemic gain.
Factory orders increased 2.7 percent in October, the best showing since a 2.9 percent rise in June 2015, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. The strength came from a 93.8 percent surge in the volatile category of commercial aircraft. A category that serves as a proxy for business investment edged up just 0.2 percent following a 1.5 percent drop in September.