U.S. factory orders increased a surprising 1.4% in March 2008, the U.S. Commerce Department announced Friday, on rising international demand for U.S. goods. It was the fastest growth for factory orders since December 2007.

Economists surveyed by Bloomberg News had expected March 2008 factory orders to increase by 0.3%. Factory orders fell a revised 0.9% in February 2008, slightly better than the previously announced decline of 1.3%.

Also factory orders, excluding the volatile transportation equipment component, increased 2.2% in March 2008.

Economists follow the factory orders statistic because it provides one of the most comprehensive surveys of advance orders for durable goods -- how busy factories are likely to be in the period ahead. Factory orders also are a major value-added component of the U.S. economy.

Orders for durable goods increased 0.1% in March 2008, revised up from the 0.3% decline estimated a week ago. Orders for nondurable goods rose 2.6%, unfilled orders increased 1.1%, shipments climbed 1.1%, and inventories for manufactured goods rose 1.1%.

U.S. economy's saving grace: exports

Economist Peter Dawson told BloggingStocks Friday the economy "is making a concerted effort to complicate economists lives" by recording stronger-than-expected economic data, of late.

U.S. factory orders declined 1.3% in February 2008, the U.S. Commerce Department announced Wednesday, as the nation's manufacturers and wholesalers continued to trim operations on slack demand stemming from the U.S. economic slowdown.

Economists surveyed by Bloomberg News had expected February 2008 factor orders to decline 0.6%. Factory orders declined by a revised 2.3% in January 2008. Economists follow the factory orders statistic because it provides one of the most comprehensive surveys of advance orders for durable goods -- how busy factories are likely to be in the period ahead. Factory orders also are a major value-added component of the U.S. economy.

Also, in March 2008 shipments fell 2.1%, durable goods orders fell 1.1%, and new orders declined 1.1%.

U.S. factory orders fell for the first time in five months in January 2008, as the slowing U.S. economy compelled businesses to reduce spending, the U.S. Commerce Department announced Wednesday.

Factory orders fell 2.5% in January 2008, after a revised 2% increase in December 2007. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News had expected factory orders to decrease 2.6% in January 2008.

Excluding orders for transportation equipment, factory orders declined 0.4%.

Durable goods orders fell a revised 5.1%, compared with the prior estimate of a 5.3% decline. Core capital equipment orders fell 1.5%. Orders for non-durable goods rose 0.3%.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods increased 0.6%, and have risen in six of the last seven months. Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods increased a revised 0.7%, and have increased in 32 of the last 33 months. Shipments increased 2%, following two consecutive monthly decreases.

U.S. factory orders increased in December 2007 -- a sign that business spending remains resilient even as employers pull-back regarding hiring plans.

Factory orders increased 2.3% in December 2007, in-line with the 2.3% consensus estimate, the U.S. Commerce Department announced Monday, in a statement. Factory orders rose a revised 1.7% in November 2007. Excluding transportation orders, factory orders increased 0.7% in December 2007.

Durable goods orders drove factory orders -- increasing 5% in the month. Orders for nondurable goods fell 0.4%; machinery increased 7.3%, and electronics rose 4.1%