US factory orders edge up 0.1 percent during January

New orders for manufactured goods in the United States saw a marginal increase in January, as gains in several industrial sectors were nearly offset by a decline in transportation equipment. According to data released by the Commerce Department's Census Bureau on Wednesday, factory orders rose by 0.1% during the month, aligning with economists' expectations. This follows a revised 0.4% decline in December, which was initially reported as a steeper 0.7% drop. On a year-over-year basis, orders increased by 3.5% in January, though the Census Bureau noted it is still catching up on data releases following delays caused by last year's government shutdown.

The manufacturing sector, which accounts for 10.1% of the national economy, continues to face significant pressure from trade policies and geopolitical instability. Since January 2025, an estimated 100,000 factory jobs have been lost. While some have defended sweeping tariffs as a necessary measure to protect domestic production, the sector has been hampered by rising costs and shifting demand.