The numbers: Orders for U.S durable goods — products meant to last at least three years — advanced for the sixth time in the last seven months.
These orders fell in February for the first time in a year, so the rebound is encouraging. They are viewed by investors as a signal of future business prospects. Orders for new commercial planes sank 10%, but they tend to be lumpy from month to month and are not the best gauge of how Americans manufacturers are doing.