Reply #10: Drop in durable goods orders

[Maeve]

Durables orders post surprise drop
Orders for goods intended to last three years or more fall 0.9% vs. forecast for gain of 0.6%.
September 25, 2003: 8:40 AM EDT
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods took a surprise tumble last month as demand for automobiles dropped sharply, according to a government report Thursday.

Orders for durable goods, items intended to last three years or more, decreased 0.9 percent in August, the Commerce Department said. It was the first decline since April and bucked expectations on Wall Street for a 0.6 percent rise.
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