Gain in U.S. Capital Goods Orders Shows Solid Investment

U.S. orders for business equipment increased more than forecast in August, indicating solid demand is continuing in the third quarter, Commerce Department figures showed Wednesday.

The underlying trend in core capital goods shipments and orders has been improving the past few months. Orders for non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft increased an annualized 6.4 percent in the three months ended in August, while shipments were up at a 7.5 percent pace. Both measures marked an acceleration from the end of the second quarter.