US Factory Orders Rise to 0.2% in September

US factory orders rose less than expected in September, increasing by 0.2% after a downwardly revised 1.3% gain in August. Economists predicted a 0.5% rise. On a year-on-year basis, orders increased by 3.5% in September. The manufacturing sector, which accounts for about 10.1% of the economy, has been struggling due to the tariffs. However, increased spending on artificial intelligence has provided some support. Orders for non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft rose 0.9% in September, with shipments also up by 0.9%.