Orders placed with U.S. factories for business equipment rose in October by more than forecast, highlighting solid momentum for capital investment at the start of the fourth quarter. The value of core capital goods orders, a proxy for business investment in equipment that excludes aircraft and military hardware, rose 0.6% after a upwardly revised 1.3% increase a month earlier, Commerce Department figures showed Wednesday. Bookings for all durable goods -- or items meant to last at least three years -- decreased 0.5% from the prior month, reflecting a drop in commercial aircraft. The median estimate in a Bloomberg ... (full story)