31.   A separate report on factory orders from the government showed demand for German goods increasing both at home and abroad.

32.   A separate report showed factory orders jumped in October, led by gains in orders for aircraft.

33.   A surge in civilian aircraft orders, particularly at Boeing Co., pushed up June factory orders, Commerce Department figures showed.

34.   A steeper-than-expected rise in U.S. factory orders for durable goods sparked concern interest rates may be headed higher, though it failed to depress stocks.

35.   Adding that to other rising recent statistics on home sales and factory orders, investors thought the inflation-wary Fed might curb growth with higher interest rates.

36.   Additionally, strong factory orders have fueled construction of warehouse and industrial properties, though much of it is speculative and without occupants.

37.   Almost every current economic statistic -- construction spending, new home sales, factory orders, consumer confidence, consumer credit -- is coming in higher than expected.

38.   But a government report on factory orders for big-ticket items dropped slightly in March from a strong February gain.

39.   But the leading indicators were flat, factory orders dropped and payroll expansion was modest -- all saying the opposite.

40.   Commerce will also release the same day figures for October construction spending and factory orders.