Factory orders up for 3rd straight month

WASHINGTON -- Businesses increased their orders for heavy machinery, computers, autos and steel in March, boosting demand for long-lasting manufactured goods for a third straight month.

Orders for durable goods rose 2.5 percent in March, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. That's up from a revised 0.7 percent increase the previous month.

Orders for durable goods totaled $208.4 billion in March, 29.8 percent above the recession low hit in March 2009. Durable goods are products that are expected to last at least three years.

Manufacturing has been one of the strongest sectors of the economy since the recession ended in June 2009. Factory growth is being fueled by rising domestic demand and a boom in exports. A weaker dollar has made U.S. goods cheaper overseas.-- AP