U.S. durable goods orders post surprise jump

U.S. durable goods orders post surprise jump

New orders for durable goods (items that last longer than three years) jumped a healthy 3.3 percent in August. Excluding the more volatile transportation sector, orders surged 4.2 percent in August. That was the biggest increase since March 2004. Orders for durable goods rose across all sectors. Primary metals orders jumped an incredible 9.2 percent. That was the largest increase seen since October 2003. Meanwhile machinery orders increased 3.5 percent reversing a 7.1 percent drop in July. Computers and electronics rose 5.5 percent after a 6.5 percent decline.