Durable-goods orders rise 1.7%

Greater demand for commercial aircraft helped U.S. businesses increase their orders for long-lasting manufactured goods in February, but a key category that tracks business investment plans fell slightly.

The Commerce Department said Friday that orders for durable goods rose 1.7 percent in February and an upwardly revised 2.3 percent in January. Orders so far this year are running 1.6 percent higher than in the first two months of 2016.

The growth indicates that manufacturers are steadily recovering from a rough patch that began in 2015.

Today’s report echoes the recent strength of surveys suggesting that business equipment investment has continued to rebound.

GENE J. PUSKAR/AP Orders for long-lasting products, such as appliances, rose 1.7 percent in February and 2.3 percent in January.