U.S. factory orders rose in March

U.S. factory orders surged in March by the largest amount in a year, an encouraging sign that the recent manufacturing slowdown might be ending.

The Commerce Department said orders rose 3.1%, primarily because of a big jump in demand for commercial aircraft. It was the biggest rise in the category that tracks business investment in new equipment in 2 1/2 years.

The increase was far better than the 2% figure that analysts had been expecting and offered hope that manufacturers were beginning to experience rising demand after a recent weak period brought on by troubles in housing and auto sales.