Orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods unexpectedly fell in December as did a gauge of planned business spending on capital goods, which could cast a shadow on an otherwise bright economic outlook. The Commerce Department said on Tuesday durable goods orders dropped 4.3 percent, pulled down by weak demand for transportation equipment, primary metals, computers and electronic products and capital goods. Last month’s decline in orders for durable goods, which range from toasters to aircraft, was the largest since July and reversed November’s revised 2.6 percent rise. Economists polled by Reuters had expected orders to rise 1.8 percent in December...
http://ncrenegade.com/editorial/durable-goods-orders-see-biggest-drop-since-july-13/