Orders for capital goods increased in July by the most in more than a year, showing corporate spending was finding its footing prior to the turmoil in financial markets.

Orders for durable goods rose in January for the first time in three months, showing manufacturing may be starting to stabilize as companies look beyond weaker global markets and cutbacks among energy producers.

Orders for business equipment unexpectedly fell in December for a fourth month, signaling a global growth slowdown is weighing on American companies.