U.S. factory orders rise 1.7% in January (by Rex Nutting)

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Boosted by demand for new airplanes, orders for U.S.-made factory goods rose 1.7% in January after an upwardly revised 1.5% gain in December, the Commerce Department estimated Thursday. Economists were expecting a 2.5% increase. Orders for durable goods increased 2.6%, revised down from the 3% reported last week. Core capital equipment orders -- the best monthly indicator of business investment -- fell 4.1% after two months of strong gains. Orders for nondurable goods increased 0.9%, led by petroleum and food.