Summary Box: Durable goods orders show strength outside of airplanes and autos

Summary Box: Capital goods orders post August gain

DURABLE GOODS: Orders to U.S. factories for durable goods fell 1.3 percent in August, the worst performance in a year, but outside of big declines in orders for airplanes and autos, durable goods rose a better-than-expected 2 percent.

CAPITAL GOODS: Orders for nondefense capital goods, excluding aircraft, considered a good proxy for business investment planning, rose 4.1 percent in August, signaling a rebound after a 5.3 percent drop in July.

OUTLOOK: Economists were encouraged by the gains in capital goods orders, seeing the gain as a sign that business spending will continue to be one of the standout performers supporting the overall economy.