September U.S. factory orders increase 0.2% amid shortages

Orders for goods produced by U.S. factories rose 0.2% in September according to a governmental announcement on Wednesday.

Orders for durable goods slid 0.3%, but the decline was offset by a 0.8% increase in orders for nondurable goods.

U.S. manufacturers have plenty of demand, but they are encountering trouble finding enough labour and materials to keep production going smoothly. Automakers have been particularly hit the hardest. The shortages have slowed the U.S. economic recovery.