I don't see how this bit is actually good news:
Quote:
WASHINGTON -- Orders to U.S. factories rose unexpectedly in October although much of the gain reflected higher energy prices.
The Commerce Department reported that orders advanced by 0.5 percent in October, far better than the flat reading that was expected. However, much of the strength came from a big jump in the cost of petroleum and other energy prices, which pumped up orders at oil refineries and chemical plants. The orders figures are not adjusted for changes in prices.
Orders for nondurable goods such as petroleum products rose by 1.3 percent, helping to offset a 0.2 percent drop in demand for durable goods. The 0.5 percent overall rise in factory orders was the best showing since a 3.4 percent jump in July.
|
If I'm reading this correctly, it says that
by volume factory orders haven't increased. Just that they've increased
by price. And that is mostly because of the increase in oil and other energy prices.
You're buying the same amount of stuff (or perhaps slightly less) but paying more for it. Doesn't sound like great news to me.
The other bits sound good - but details are thin and I don't have time to follow the link now.