ECONOMY

Machine-Tool Orders Up Last Month: Orders for U.S.-made machine tools surged 24% in December from November to $200 million, but for all of 1992 they fell 6.3% to $2.48 billion, an industry trade group said. Compared to a year ago, December orders were down 41.7% from $342.9 million, the Assn. for Manufacturing Technology said. In November, 1992, orders totaled $161.3 million. Machine tools are used in the manufacture of other machinery.