Orders For Durable Goods Rose 3.6 Percent in May

Better than expected

Orders for U.S. durable goods rose more than forecast in May, reflecting broad-based gains that signal manufacturing is stabilizing.

Bookings for goods meant to last at least three years climbed 3.6 percent for a second month, the Commerce Department reported today in Washington. The median forecast of 81 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a 3 percent increase. Excluding transportationequipment, where demand is volatile month to month, orders advanced 0.7 percent, also topping projections.