U.S. factory orders fall; core capital goods orders revised up

New orders for U.S.-made goods fell more than expected in May, but orders for capital equipment were a bit stronger than previously reported, suggesting the manufacturing sector remained on a moderate growth path. Factory goods orders dropped 0.8 percent, the Commerce Department said on Wednesday after a revised 0.3 percent decline in April. It was the second straight monthly decrease in orders. Economists had forecast factory orders falling 0.5 percent in May after a previously reported 0.2 percent drop in April. Factory orders were up 4.8 percent from a year ago.