By Greg Robb
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - Orders for U.S.-made durable goods rose 4.2% in June on stronger demand for civilian aircraft, the Commerce Department reported Thursday. This is the third straight sizable gain in orders. The increase was much stronger than expected. Economists polled by MarketWatch expected a 2.3% rise in durables. In addition, orders in May were revised up sharply to a 5.2% gain compared with the prior estimate of a 3.7% increase. In June, transportation orders had the largest increase, rising 12.8%. Excluding transportation, orders were flat. Shipments were also flat June. Orders for core capital goods rose 0.7% in the month after a 2.2% gain in May.
