Orders for appliances, computers, cars and other durable goods increased in August, though factory operators continued to confront parts and labor shortages as well as higher material costs.
New orders for products meant to last at least three years increased 1.8% to a seasonally adjusted $263.5 billion in August as compared with July, the Commerce Department said Monday, marking the biggest increase since May. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal had forecast a 0.6% increase.
