1.   Orders placed with U.S. factories rose in March for the first time this year, propelled by demand for commercial and military aircraft, Commerce Department figures showed today.

2.   Propelled by demand for second phone lines, earnings of Bell Atlantic Corp. rose sharply in the first-quarter.

3.   Sales at U.S. retailers probably increased in February for a third consecutive month, propelled by demand for apparel, furniture and food.

4.   Strong demand for trucks propelled the sales.