Name:   GoneFishin - Subject:   Positive News For Economy Date:   2/27/2013 1:41:42 PM

This is the type news we need to read every month. I have to assume everyone will agree with me on this one.


(Reuters) - A gauge of planned U.S. business spending recorded its largest increase in just over a year in January, suggesting businesses may be becoming more confident about expanding, while another report on Wednesday indicated the housing market is continuing to strengthen.

Orders for capital goods, excluding defense-related items and aircraft, a closely watched proxy for business spending plans, jumped 6.3 percent, the biggest gain since December 2011. Orders for so-called core capital goods had slipped 0.3 percent in December.

In other data, contracts to buy previously owned homes approached a near three-year high last month. Housing is expected to underpin U.S. economic growth this year.