U.S. factory orders rise unexpectedly in October

It was a pretty strong week for the U.S. economy: The manufacturing sector continued to expand, the Dow solidified gains above 10,000, and the nation lost only 11,000 jobs in November. To this the U.S. Commerce Department added more good news Friday: Factory orders unexpectedly increased 0.6% in October.

A Bloomberg News survey had expected October factory orders to rise 0.2%. Factory orders increased a revised 1.6% in September, higher than the previously released 0.9% gain for September. Factory orders fell 0.8% in August.