U.S. March factory orders up 1.4% vs. 0.2% expected (by Greg Robb)

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - The factory sector showed some signs of life in March, the Commerce Department reported Friday. Factory orders increased 1.4% in March, the fastest growth rate since December. This was well above the 0.2% gain expected by economists surveyed by MarketWatch. Orders for durable goods increased 0.1% in March, revised up from the 0.3% drop estimated a week ago. Orders for nondurable goods rose 2.6% in March.