21.   If measures such as durable goods orders and unemployment start to show similarly weak patterns, all bets are off.

22.   In its report on durable goods orders, the Commerce Department said the decline was led by weaker demand for aircraft, autos and capital goods.

23.   In New York on Friday, Treasuries posted their worst loss in seven weeks after stronger-than-expected July durable goods orders heightened inflation concerns.

24.   In the U.S., investors await reports on durable goods orders, existing home sales and GDP later this week for an indication of the pace of the economy.

25.   Investors today were somewhat encouraged by U.S. durable goods orders and home sales results showing declines in June from May, he said.

26.   It will be followed on Wednesday by April trade data Wednesday and on Friday by a report on May durable goods orders.

27.   Lower U.S. interest rates will encourage consumers to buy big-ticket items such as houses and cars and durable goods orders will rise by midyear, they added.

28.   Meanwhile, lower yields on Treasury bonds following a report of weaker-than-expected durable goods orders in June helped lift rate-sensitive electric utility companies.

29.   Meantime, a jump in U.S. durable goods orders last month provided more evidence that the economy is robust.