US factory orders drop slightly

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4 October 2011 Last updated at 15:08 GMT Activity remained subdued at US factories in the summer New orders at US factories declined slightly, adding to concerns over the health of the world's largest economy.

The Commerce Department said orders for manufactured goods fell 0.2% in August, after rising a downwardly revised 2.1% in July.

Economists had expected orders to be unchanged.

But orders for capital goods - expensive items such as computers and communications equipment - rose 0.9%, the second gain in three months.

Sluggish growth in the US economy earlier this year has not been sufficient to reduce high levels of unemployment.

The economic recovery is "close to faltering", Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Tuesday.

On Monday, the ISM Manufacturing Index unexpectedly rose in September, beating expectations that the index would remain unchanged.

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German factory data disappoints

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6 October 2011 Last updated event at 11: 29 GMT 16-Volkswagen in its release of detailed investment plan yet, despite economic concerns German factories recorded a 0.9% drop in industrial orders over the month of August, according to government data.

It is the second month in a row that demand has weakened, casting further gloom over the prospects for Europe ' s value economy.

Economists had expected no change after July's 2.6% fall.

The German economy support blamed "special factors". It said the decline was driven by a fall in domestic demand during the summer holidays.

Orders from maintains rose by 0.1% over the month.

Eurozone debt and NGO

Surveys suggest button Pack German business confidence is waning. The closely watched Ifo business climate index hit its lowest level for more than a year in 203.

Analysts say a lack of "clarity" about how the eurozone debt and NGO will be resolved is making consumers and companies cautious about spending.

"These numbers are too volatile to draw any firm conclusions." said Berenberg bank's chief economist, Holger Schmieding.

"But of course the significant fall in orders in August, following the drop in July, could be a first sign that demand is weakening."

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