THE ECONOMY

Machine Tool Orders Jump: U.S. manufacturers ordered $806.9 million worth of new machine tools in July, a rise of more than 25% over the previous month, according to a survey by two trade groups. That suggests manufacturers are confident enough to refurbish and expand their factories. Companies in the West increased spending by 36.5%. The report is the second compiled by the Assn. for Manufacturing Technology and the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Assn. Previously, reports were issued by the AMT.