WASHINGTON (AP) — Orders for U.S. durable goods tumbled 1 percent in May as demand for military equipment
fell sharply. But excluding defense-related goods, orders actually rose, and orders in a key category
that signals business investment also increased.
The gains outside of military goods suggest business spending is picking up, which could give the economy
a much-needed boost.
The Commerce Department says orders, excluding defense, rose 0.6 percent in May, after falling 0.8
percent in April. Orders in core capital goods, which reflect business investment, increased 0.7
percent, after a 1.1 percent drop.
Factories reported higher demand for steel and other metals, computers, and autos.
The figures come as a separate report showed that the U.S. economy contracted sharply in the first three
months of the year, mostly because of bad weather.