New orders for US-manufactured goods rose 1.8% in September to $677.2 billion, marking a third consecutive monthly increase and exceeding economists’ 1.2% forecast. August’s gain was revised to 0.3% from 0.1%. Transportation equipment orders increased 4.6% to $119.9 billion, accounting for nearly half of the monthly rise, while orders excluding transportation equipment climbed 1.3%. Durable-goods orders rose 1.9% to $345.7 billion and nondurable-goods orders increased 1.8% to $331.6 billion. Orders were up 7.2% from a year earlier, led by a 28.3% jump in civilian aircraft and parts bookings. Machinery orders rose 1.5%, while computers and electronic products increased 0.8% and were up 14.9% year over year. Orders for nondefense capital goods excluding aircraft, a closely watched gauge of business investment plans, increased 0.6%, and shipments rose 1.2%. Overall factory shipments climbed 1.3% to $668.5 billion, unfilled orders rose 0.9% to $1.62 trillion, and inventories increased 0.4% to $976 billion, their 12th consecutive monthly gain. Artificial intelligence infrastructure investment and strong consumer spending have supported manufacturing, which accounts for about 9.4% of the economy. An Institute for Supply Management survey showed factory production booming in October, but manufacturer sentiment deteriorated amid pricing volatility, longer lead times, tariffs and the US-Israeli war with Iran. Economists cautioned that higher interest rates and declining inflation-adjusted household income could weigh on manufacturing activity next year.