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More signs of US economic growth More signs of US economic growth
(about 1 hour later)
US durable goods orders and new home sales both soared last month, the latest positive indications of the state of the world's largest economy.US durable goods orders and new home sales both soared last month, the latest positive indications of the state of the world's largest economy.
Orders for goods expected to last more than three years increased 4.9% in July, beating analyst expectations of a 3% gain, said the Commerce Department.Orders for goods expected to last more than three years increased 4.9% in July, beating analyst expectations of a 3% gain, said the Commerce Department.
Durable goods orders were lifted by the popularity of the government's "cash for clunkers" car scrappage scheme.
This helped US car orders rise 0.9%, recovering from June and May falls.
At the same time, the annual rate of sales of new US homes rose 9.6% last month, also ahead of market targets.At the same time, the annual rate of sales of new US homes rose 9.6% last month, also ahead of market targets.
This was the biggest rise in sales of new houses since September last year.This was the biggest rise in sales of new houses since September last year.
Boeing boostBoeing boost
The increase in durable goods orders was led by the commercial aviation sector, which pushed transportation equipment orders up 18%. The increase in durable goods orders was led by the commercial aviation sector, which pushed total transportation equipment orders up 18%.
US home sales have seen their biggest rise in 10 months Increased aircraft orders led the rise
The increase in demand for civilian aircraft was thanks primarily to Boeing, which in July saw its largest increase in monthly orders since August last year. July's 107% increase in demand for civilian aircraft was thanks primarily to Boeing, which saw its largest increase in monthly orders since August last year.
Transportation orders were further lifted by increased demand for US built cars thanks to the government's "cash for clunkers" scrappage scheme, under which consumers are given money to trade in their old vehicles. The 0.9% increase in car orders compared with June's 0.2% fall, and the sharp 8.4% decline in May.
New orders excluding transportation items rose 0.8%, which was the third rise in the past four months, and followed a revised 1.3% fall in June. July's rise in auto orders was lifted by the success of the "cash for clunkers" or Car Allowance Rebate Scheme, whereby owners of old cars were given up to $4,500 when they traded in their vehicle for a new model.
The US Transportation Department said on Wednesday that the scheme, which ran from 1 July to 25 August, created 700,000 new car sales.
It added that the total amount of rebates paid out was $2.88bn (£1.8bn).
The White House in turn estimates that the scheme will create or save 42,000 US jobs in the second half of 2009, and boost economic growth between July and September by 0.3% to 0.4%.
Upbeat figures
Durable goods orders excluding transportation items rose 0.8%, which was the third rise in the past four months, and followed a revised 1.3% fall in June.
Sales of new US homes rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 433,000 in July, up from 395,000 in June, said the Commerce Department.Sales of new US homes rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 433,000 in July, up from 395,000 in June, said the Commerce Department.
Although this was a 9.6% rise from the month before, sales were still 13% lower than July 2008.Although this was a 9.6% rise from the month before, sales were still 13% lower than July 2008.
The latest upbeat official figures come a day after the closely-watched Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index rose by more than expected this month, while a separate study said the rate of decline in US house prices slowed in July.The latest upbeat official figures come a day after the closely-watched Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index rose by more than expected this month, while a separate study said the rate of decline in US house prices slowed in July.