This released today:
"Factory Orders Grew Stronger in June
By JEANNINE AVERSA, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - America's factories saw orders grow stronger in June, a spot of good news for manufacturers and for the economic recovery.
The Commerce Department (news - web sites) reported Wednesday that orders placed with U.S. factories rose by a solid 0.7 percent in June from the previous month. The performance exceeded economists' expectations for a 0.5 percent advance.
The increase, the largest since March, was up from a 0.4 percent rise in May.
"Manufacturing looks quite healthy for the reason that its big demand drivers — business investment and exports — at the moment are operating at a higher gear," said Clifford Waldman, economist at Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI, a research group...."
Entire story:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=668&ncid=749&e=6&u=/ap/20040804/ap_on_bi_go_ec_fi/economy