Capital Goods Orders Point to U.S. Investment Gain: Economy

American factories received more orders for machinery, communications gear and electrical equipment in August as an improving economy gave companies the confidence to expand.

A 0.6 percent advance in bookings for non-military capital goods excluding aircraft followed a 0.2 percent decrease in July that was smaller than previously estimated, according to data from the Commerce Department issued today in Washington. Another report showed firings remain low.