41.   However, orders rose for autos, industrial equipment and primary metals, the Commerce Department said.

42.   However, spending on industrial equipment may be slowing now, along with consumer spending, said Peter Kretzmer, an economist at NationsBank Corp. in New York.

43.   However, manufacturers of iron, steel and industrial equipment reported stronger orders.

44.   If foreign demand for heavy industrial equipment declines sharply, as it did during the Asian crisis, recent hard-won gains in job creation could easily disappear.

45.   In addition to aircraft, orders increased for autos, electronics, industrial equipment and defense hardware.

46.   In April, a month when the production of industrial equipment dropped, retail sales were stronger than expected.

47.   Industrial equipment had higher earnings on increased production and sales.

48.   Industrial equipment and primary metals producers reported stronger orders during the month.

49.   Ingersoll-Rand, based in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, makes industrial equipment and components.

50.   Instead, Japan is becoming a maker of industrial equipment and of sophisticated components that are assembled into final products elsewhere.