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US factory orders tick up in March

In this April 6, 2016, photograph, a technician works on a motor of a Titan truck on the assembly line at the Nissan Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant in Canton, Miss. On Thursday, May 4, 2017, the Commerce Department reports on U.S. factory orders for March. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
In this April 6, 2016, photograph, a technician works on a motor of a Titan truck on the assembly line at the Nissan Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant in Canton, Miss. On Thursday, May 4, 2017, the Commerce Department reports on U.S. factory orders for March. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) In this April 6, 2016, photograph, a technician works on a motor of a Titan truck on the assembly line at the Nissan Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant in Canton, Miss. On Thursday, May 4, 2017, the Commerce Department reports on U.S. factory orders for March. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

By Associated Press 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Orders to U.S. factories turned in the weakest performance in four months, although a key category that tracks business investment showed more strength.

The Commerce Department says factory orders edged up 0.2 percent in March, a significant slowdown from February’s gain of 1.2 percent. It was also the poorest showing since orders fell 2.3 percent in November.

Despite the overall decline, a key category that tracks business investment rebounded to a 0.5 percent gain. That is the best showing since December’s 0.8 percent increase. The business category increased a small 0.1 percent in February.

American manufacturers continue to recover from a rough patch over the last two years when demand for American exports fell due to weak overseas economies and the strong U.S. dollar.