New orders for manufactured durable goods orders increased for the first time in the last three months, a sign indicating companies are likely to see increased production and jobs added in the spring.

Orders for durable goods, goods that are meant to last a minimum of three years, increased $6.5 billion to $236.1 billion or a seasonally adjusted 2.8 percent, according to the report released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

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Bloomberg reviewed the forecast of around 80 economists and predicted a 1.6 percent rise in durable goods orders. The estimates ranged from a 4.0 percent increase to a 4.5 percent decrease.The actual order report greatly exceeded the expectations.

There was an increase of 8 percent in the new orders for capital goods from a 10.5 percent decrease in December. This is a good sign for the companies since capital goods represent higher-cost capital upgrades a company can make, the increase forecasts stronger business for the companies. Steady business would lead to more sales and eventually gains in working hours for non-farm workers.

The demand for commercial aircraft saw a jump from a plummeting 58.3 percent in December to 128.5 percent in January. Though Boeing came up with a contradicting figure of only five orders for aircrafts. The civilian aircraft demand is a very volatile category and affects the economy on a month-to-month basis.

“We had thought that it [the new durable goods orders] would be flat. But the bulk aircraft order pulled the total numbers up and showed that it was impossible for this to go down,” said Stuart G Hoffman, senior vice president and chief economist for The PNC Financial Services, who had predicted a decrease of 1 percent.

The non-defense capital goods orders excluding the aircrafts rose 0.6% compared to a 0.7% decrease in December.

Though figures in durable goods orders are volatile, factories see a modest pick-up in business with demands from customers in manufacturing and computer industry.

“First the decline in order for oil and gas extraction and secondly the strengthening of dollar is making overseas business difficult for U.S.,” said Russell T. Price, senior economist of Ameriprise Financial Inc. According to him though business is picking up it is still facing some problems.

Job gains occurred in retail, trade, construction, manufacturing, healthcare and financial activities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The demands from customers in manufacturing field have added more jobs in the labor market. The job gains will lead to increased production followed by more spending including those in capital expenditure.

The strengthening U.S. dollar and decline in oil prices are restricting business overseas because producers are limiting their investment. The demands of the customers will not be met which will result in less spending and thereby may not contribute to an expanding economy, the United States is aimed at.

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