WASHINGTON — U.S. factory orders tumbled in April, a sign that manufacturers are struggling amid a stronger dollar and cheaper oil.
Orders fell 0.4 percent in April, marking the eighth decline in nine months, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. The key category that tracks business investment plans — non-military capital goods excluding aircraft — slipped 0.3 percent. Orders for electronic products plunged 4 percent, while demand in the volatile aircraft category tailed off sharply.
Read Wednesday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.