U.S. Business-Equipment Orders Show Third Drop in Four Months

Orders placed with U.S. factories for business equipment fell in November, missing forecasts for an increase and adding to signs that demand is slowing amid risks from the trade war with China.

Non-military capital-goods orders excluding aircraft -- a proxy for business investment -- dropped 0.6 percent, after an upwardly revised 0.5 percent increase the prior month, Commerce Department figures showed Friday. The Bloomberg survey median called for a 0.2 percent gain. Bookings for all durable goods, a broader measure of items meant to last at least three years, rebounded by less than expected.