WASHINGTON — U.S. companies invested last month in computers, communications equipment and machinery, increasing capital goods orders for the third time in four months.
The 4.1 percent increase to capital goods in August signaled a rebound in business spending after orders fell 5.3 percent in July. It also suggests manufacturing, which has helped drive economic growth since the recession ended in June 2009, is still a bright spot in a weak recovery.
The overall demand for durable goods fell 1.3 percent in August, the Commerce Department said Friday. But that was pulled down by a drop in aircraft orders. Excluding the volatile transportation sector, orders rose 2 percent — the best showing in five months.
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