Reuters (05/24/12)
Orders for long-lasting goods edged up 0.2% in April, the second rise in three months after demand for cars and car parts picked up. The U.S. Commerce Department reported today that durable-goods orders reached a seasonally adjusted $215.5 billion after dropping 3.7% in March. Economists had forecast orders for durable goods to increase 0.5% in April. Orders were dragged down by a 2.8% decline in machinery and 34% fall in military aircraft. New orders of computers and electronic products fell 0.6%.