U.S. durable goods orders jump 1.8 percent

U.S. businesses boosted their orders for long-lasting manufactured goods in January by the largest amount in three months, but a key category that tracks business investment plans slipped. Orders for durable goods rose 1.8 percent in January after two months of declines, the Commerce Department said. The strength stemmed from a big surge in demand for commercial aircraft and military aircraft. Excluding the transportation category, orders actually fell 0.2 percent, the weakest showing since June. Demand in a category that tracks business investment plans fell 0.4 percent, the first decline since September. Analysts believe business investment will strengthen this year as the manufacturing sector recovers from two years of lackluster gains. Durable goods are items intended to last at least three years, such as household appliances and cars.