Durable-goods orders up strong 3.0% in December

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch)
Orders for U.S.-made durable-goods rose 3.0% in December on stronger demand for civilian aircraft, machinery, and primary metals, the Commerce Department reported Thursday
This is the third straight monthly gain and the fourth in the past five months
Excluding transportation, orders rose 2.1%, the fourth straight gain
The increase was stronger than expected
Economists polled by MarketWatch expected a 2.4% rise in durables
Transportation orders had a large increase, rising 5.5%
Shipments rose 2.1% in December
Orders for core durable-goods rose 2.9% in December after two straight declines