The factory orders in the United States increased by 1.2 percent in June, the strongest gain since March, the Commerce Department reported on Thursday.

The department said that new orders to the nation's manufacturing sector rose by 4.7 billion dollars to 406 billion dollars in June.

All the strength reflected demand for "durable" goods -- items expected to last for more than three years. Order for durable goods increased by 2.9 percent to 215.8 billion dollars in June following a 0.3 percent increase in the previous month. But orders for nondurable goods decreased by 0.7 percent to 190.2 billion dollars.

Shipment of manufactured goods in the country declined by 0.3 percent in June following an increase of 2.5 percent in May.

Source: Xinhua