WASHINGTON--Orders to U.S. factories for costly manufactured goods rose 12.8 % in October, the Commerce Department recently reported.

The rebound in durable goods -- items expected to last at least three years -- came after new orders dropped 9.2% in September.

The 12.8% increase was the largest since the government began keeping records based on the current classification system in March 1992. It also marked the first increase in orders for durable goods since May.