US factory orders rise more strongly than expected in February
Total factory orders grew by 1.0% month-on-month in February to reach $476.5bn, according to the Department of Commerce.
Economists had forecast a rise of 0.9%.
Orders for durable goods rose for a second consecutive month, increasing by 1.8% versus January to $236.0bn while those for non-durable goods were up by 0.2% at $240.5bn.
The former was an upwards revision from the initial estimate of 1.7%.
Shipments of manufactured durable goods increased by 0.3% on the month to $239.4bn, while unfilled orders were virtually unchanged at $1.12trn and inventories rose 0.2% to $385.2bn.
In January, factory orders increased by 1.5% on the month, more than an originally estimated gain of 1.2%.