U.S. Factory Orders Rise 0.1% but Miss Some Forecasts

U.S. factory orders rose 0.1% in August to $663.5 billion, the Census Bureau said Friday, after a revised 0.8% increase in July from $662.8 billion. Durable-goods orders fell 0.1% to $338.5 billion. Non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft rose 1.6% to $87.6 billion, and shipments of those goods rose 0.5%. Civilian aircraft and parts orders fell 4.3%; machinery orders rose 1.1% and motor vehicle bodies, parts and trailers rose 0.8%. Unfilled orders rose 0.6%, increasing in 25 of the past 26 months. Overall shipments were roughly flat after an 0.8% gain in July. Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal expected a 0.2% increase. Economists polled by Reuters expected a 0.1% gain. CNBC described the result as slightly below expectations; Seeking Alpha described it as slightly better than expected. Sources differed on durable goods excluding transportation, reporting a 0.2% rise. An ISM survey released Thursday showed manufacturer concerns about a trade war with Canada. Dean Seal reported the Census figures for Dow Jones.