WASHINGTON — Orders to U.S. factories rose in March for the first time since last July, breaking a long stretch of weakness in manufacturing.
Orders increased 2.1 percent following seven monthly declines, the Commerce Department reported Monday. And in further good news, orders in a key category that tracks business investment plans eked out a 0.1 percent rise. It was the first advance in this category since last August.
Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.