Orders to U.S. Factories Decrease for First Time in Four Months

Orders placed with U.S. factories fell in October for the first time in four months, held back by a slump in demand for durable goods that signals investments in new equipment may slow.

Bookings for manufacturers’ goods fell 0.9 percent, less than forecast, after a revised 3 percent in September that was larger than previously estimated, figures from the Commerce Department showed today in Washington. Orders for goods meant to least at least three years decreased 3.4 percent.