The deep recession in manufacturing worsened in March, as demand for U.S.-made durable goods fell 0.8%, the seventh decline in the past eight months, the Commerce Department estimated Friday. New orders declined in almost every industrial sector, although a key gauge of capital spending by businesses rose 1.5%, the second straight increase following a severe decline in January. Shipments of durable goods fell 1.7% in March. Inventories fell 1.1%, an encouraging sign that manufacturers are getting their supplies of unsold goods more in line with demand.
