Strong U.S. durable goods orders offer hope for manufacturing

While other data on Thursday showed new applications for unemployment benefits increased last week, they remained below levels associated with a tightening labor market. The Commerce Department said orders for durable goods, items ranging from toasters to aircraft meant to last three years or more, surged 4.9 percent last month, reversing December's 4.6 percent plunge. Non-defense capital goods orders excluding aircraft, a closely watched proxy for business spending plans, jumped 3.9 percent aft