New orders for manufactured durable goods increased $8.7 billion or 3.1% in January to $286 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau said in its most recent advance report. The increase followed a 1.8% decrease in December. Excluding transportation, new orders were virtually unchanged. Excluding defense, new orders increased 3.5%. Transportation equipment led the increase, $8.6 billion or 9.8% to $96.5 billion.
NFIB: Small business optimism rose in December
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 0.5 points in December to 99.5 and remained above its 52-year average of 98, according to the National Federation of Independent Business. The Uncertainty Index fell seven points from November to...










