Global growth, dollar, push durable goods orders up 2.9 pct

WASHINGTON — Orders for long-lasting manufactured goods rose 2.9 per cent in December, the fastest pace since June and another sign of strength for American industry, the Commerce Department said Friday.

Orders were lifted by a 15.9 per cent surge in demand for civilian aircraft and aviation parts, which can bounce around from month to month. Excluding the volatile transportation sector, orders increased 0.6 per cent in December.

Overall orders for durable goods, which are meant to last at least three years, have risen in four the last five months and were up 5.8 per cent for the full year 2017, best in six years.

Still, a category that measures business investment — orders for nondefense capital goods excluding aircraft — dipped 0.3 per cent in December.