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.

Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ) grabbed the global PC crown from Dell Inc. (NASDAQ:DELL) in the third quarter. HP shipped 100,000 more PCs that Dell, moving into first place for the first time in three years, according to research firm Gartner.

HP's global share is now 16.3% compared to 16.1% for Dell. Dell still leads in the US with a share of around 31% to HP's 23%.

Dell has been plagued by customer service problems and its image as one of the great growth companies among American firms has faded. Despite the board spying scandal at HP and the indictment of its former chairman, the company's CEO, Mark Hurd, is viewed as something of a turnaround artist on Wall Street.

The market has known that HP was moving aggressively and successfully on Dell for some time. HP shares trade near their 52-week high at $39, up from the low of $25.53. Dell shares change hands at $24.70, near the lower end of its 12-month range of $33.22/$18.95. While HP's stock is up 40% over the last year, Dell's is off almost 25%.

Dell has tried to fix its problems by moving some of its PC's to AMD chips, which are in high demand among some buyers. But there is no evidence that this has caused a surge of new sales.

With revenue and operating profit falling, Dell still has a long row to hoe.

Douglas McIntyre is a partner at 24/7 Wall St.