Orders for durable goods increased 8.2 billion U.S. dollars, or 3.5 percent, to 241.6 billion dollars last month, led by an 8.4 percent jump in transportation equipment orders. Demand for commercial aircraft surged 21.8 percent, accounting for much of the increase.

　　Non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft, a gauge for business spending plans, advanced by 4.5 percent in November, reversing a 0.7 percent drop in October and marking the largest increase since January.

　　The durable items are expected to last at least three years. Excluding the volatile transportation sector, new orders for manufactured durable goods increased 1.2 percent last month.

　　Manufacturing has been a bright spot for economic recovery and job creation since the recession ended. The rise in durable goods orders in November beat the market expectations of a 1.5 percent increase.