Bloomberg (09/25/13) Lorraine Woellert

Orders for U.S. durable goods rose in August, suggesting business spending is starting to strengthen. Bookings for nonmilitary durable goods climbed 1.5%, after a 3.3% decline in July, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had forecasted a range from a 4.5% decline to a 5.5% increase.

Consumer purchases of automobiles and housing is boosting manufacturing and giving companies the confidence to invest in growing their business. Orders excluding transportation equipment, which tend to be volatile, fell 0.1% following a 0.5% decline in July.