Factory orders go up in June as demand for aircraft soars

WASHINGTON - Orders at U.S. factories increased in June as demand surged for aircraft.

The Commerce Department said Thursday that factory orders increased 3 percent in June, a solid rebound after declining in May and April. But the gains largely came from a massive 131 percent jump in orders for civilian aircraft, a category that can be volatile on a monthly basis.

U.S. manufacturing has been recovering from a slowdown in late 2015 caused by lower energy prices and a strong dollar that made American products more expensive overseas. Factories have responded with a relatively slight upturn in hiring. Manufacturers added an average of 8,833 jobs during the first six months of this year.

Excluding the transportation sector that includes aircraft, factory orders slipped 0.2 percent in June.

Demand fell for computers and electronic products, while primary metals, machinery and motor vehicles gained.

Other manufacturing indicators point to continued but cautious growth.

The Institute for Supply Management said Tuesday that its index of factory activity fell 1.5 points to 56.3 in July. Still, any reading above 50 signals manufacturers are expanding.

Separately, the Federal Reserve said factory production advanced 0.2 percent in June and 1.2 percent over the past 12 months.