U.S. machine tool orders rose a slight...

U.S. machine tool orders rose a slight 0.2% to $298.0 million in February, and were nearly double from a year ago, the National Machine Tool Builders’ Assn. reported. Both foreign and domestic sales contributed to a 95% increase in machine tool orders from February, 1987, the association said. Foreign machine tool orders rose 24.6% to $39.2 million in February, and were up 243.9% from a year earlier, the association said. The increase in foreign orders helped offset a 2.7% decline in domestic orders last month, the association said. Domestic orders totaled $258.8 million, 83% higher than February, 1987.