In Short: Tech Orders Do Well

Computer makers outperformed the overall manufacturing sector last month, at least in one area: durable goods, those manufactured wares meant to last at least three years. Seasonally adjusted durable-goods orders in April fell 2.9%, the biggest decline since a 6% drop in September 2002. But orders for computers and related products--valued at $8.5 billion--rose 5.4%. Computer shipments in April--valued at nearly $8.8 billion--rose 6.3%; overall durable-goods shipments slipped 0.8%.