U.S. factory orders rose in June as demand for aircraft soared

Aug. 3, 2017 – Orders at U.S. factories increased in June as demand surged for aircraft.

The Commerce Departments reports that factory orders increased 3 per cent in June, a solid rebound after declining in May and April. But the gains largely came from a massive 131 per cent jump in orders for civilian aircraft, a category that can be volatile on a monthly basis.

Excluding the transportation sector that includes aircraft, factory orders slipped 0.2 per cent in June.

Demand fell for computers and electronic products, while primary metals, machinery and motor vehicles eked out gains.

U.S. manufacturing has been recovering from a slowdown in late 2015 caused by lower energy prices and a strong dollar that made American products more expensive overseas.