Summary Box: Factory orders post gain in November

ORDERS UP: Business orders of factory goods rose 0.7 percent in November following a 0.7 percent decline in October.

PLANES AND AUTOS: The gain would have been an even bigger 2.4 percent increase, the largest since March, except that the transportation sector posted a sizable drop. There was weaker demand for commercial aircraft and motor vehicles.

CONSUMERS AND BUSINESSES: Much of the strength in November came from big gains in demand for consumer products such as household appliances, furniture and computers. Businesses investment to expand and modernize also increased in November.