Washington

ORDERS for long-lasting US manufactured goods rebounded less than expected in March. Slumping demand for automobiles, computers and electrical goods suggests that the downturn in the factory sector was far from over.

The Commerce Department said on Tuesday that orders for durable goods - items ranging from toasters to aircraft, meant to last three years or more - increased 0.8 per cent last month after declining 3.1 per cent in February.