Orders for U.S. durable goods climbed more than forecast in December, pointing to a rebound in business investment that will help support the world’s largest economy in early 2012.
Bookings for long-lasting goods advanced 3 percent after rising 4.3 percent the prior month, the biggest back-to-back gains in almost a year, according to Commerce Department data today in Washington. Other reports showed indexes of leading indicators and consumer comfort improved, jobless claims rose from an almost four-year low and sales of new houses dropped.
