Washington, Rajab 7, 1438, April 4, 2017, SPA -- Orders to U.S. factories rose in February for a third consecutive month, the government reported Tuesday, suggesting the manufacturing-sector recovery was gaining momentum. The US Commerce Department said factory orders rose 1 percent in February following a 1.5 percent advance the previous month. Factory orders were up 4.6 percent from a year ago. Much of the February strength came from a second consecutive month of booming demand for commercial aircraft. Orders for transportation equipment increased 4.4 percent, reflecting a 47.5 percent surge in civilian aircraft orders, as well as a 03 percent in motor-vehicle orders. Demand for durable goods-items expected to last at least three years-rose 1.8 percent in February following a 2.4 percent advance the previous month. Orders for non-durable goods, including chemicals and paper, rose 0.2 percent after a 0.6 percent increase in January. Orders for machinery rose 0.3 percent, orders for computers and electronics increased 0.2 percent, and demand for electrical equipment and appliances jumped 1.9 percent in February. Orders also increased for primary metals, computers, construction machinery, and oilfield drilling equipment. --SPA 18:39 LOCAL TIME 15:39 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w369257