US factory orders rise less than forecast in December

US factory orders rose more than expected in December, the Commerce Department revealed on Friday.

Orders increased 1.3% in December from a month ago to $464.9bn, stronger than the 0.5% growth forecast by economists. November was revised to a 2.3% decrease from a previously estimated 2.4% decline.

Excluding transportation, factory orders jumped 2.1% in December.

New orders for manufactured durable goods in December edged down 0.5% to $227.1bn following a 0.4% fall in November.

For manufactured non-durable goods, new orders rose 3.1% to $237.8bn.