Factory orders increase in January
Milwaukee Electric Tool unveils Web site for V28 Lithium
Unemployment increases to 5.4 percent
Jobless claims fall in recent week

Factory orders increase in January
New orders for manufactured goods in January increased $600 million, or 0.2 percent, to $380.5 billion, according to the Commerce Department. This followed a 0.5 percent December increase.

New orders for manufactured durable goods decreased $2.6 billion, or 1.3 percent, to $199.9 billion in January, revised from the previously published 0.9 percent decrease. This followed a 1.5 percent December increase.

Transportation equipment had the largest decrease, $3.1 billion, or 5.4 percent, to $53.2 billion, due to nondefense aircraft and parts, which decreased $2.4 billion.

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Milwaukee Electric Tool unveils Web site for V28 Lithium
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. launched a new Web site, www.v28power.com, to tell the full story of the power and extended run time of the new V28 Lithium Ion power tool system.

A revolution in the cordless tool category, the 28-volt battery can deliver 40 percent to 50 percent more power and up to twice the run time of traditional 18 volt models, yet the battery weighs slightly less.

This breakthrough technology allows Milwaukee to introduce new tools like the world’s first cordless band saw powerful enough for every-day professional use. The V28 line of tools also includes a hammer-drill, circular saw, Sawzall reciprocating saw, impact wrench, work light and battery charger.

Visitors can test and compare their current 18 volt or 24 volt tools against the V28 in virtual test drives. They can see how much more they can cut or drill with the revolutionary new Milwaukee technology, based on the results of extensive independent testing.

Visitors can also check out product specs, see and hear V28 product reviews from real tradespeople, register for a chance to win V28 tools, view television commercials and sign up to be notified when V28 tools are available in their area.

For more information on Milwaukee’s new V28 Power Web site, visit www.v28power.com.

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In February, both the number of unemployed persons, 8 million, and the unemployment rate, 5.4 percent, returned to their December levels after dipping in January. The jobless rate had been either 5.4 percent or 5.5 percent during each of the last six months of 2004.

Manufacturing added 20,000 jobs in February, with motor vehicles and parts accounting for about half of the job gain. The increase in motor vehicles employment (11,000) reflected the return of auto workers from larger-than-usual temporary layoffs in January.

While total manufacturing employment edged up over the year, it has shown little net change since mid-2004.

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Jobless claims fall in recent week
New claims for unemployment insurance declined 1,000 to 310,000 for the week ended Feb. 26, according to the Labor Department. The four-week moving average was 307,000, a decrease of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average of 308,500.

The four-week moving average is generally considered by economists to be the more reliable of the two because it smoothes out week-to-week volatility. Both rates remained below 400,000, which is the level economists use to define a weak labor market and a stable one.

Continuing claims for unemployment insurance increased 12,000 to 2.7 million for the week ended Feb. 19. Continuing claims are those older than two weeks.

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