OTHER NEWS - March 25, 1996

Machine Tool Orders Fell 10.16% in February: The total for the month was $414.7 million, down from $461.6 million in January, the Assn. for Manufacturing Technology said. Compared with a year ago, February orders were up 9.26%. Orders of machine tools--used to cut and shape metal for products ranging from toasters to tractors--are a sign of whether manufacturers are confident enough about demand to refurbish and expand their factories. The trade group’s report said domestic orders totaled $353.75 million in February, down 11% from January’s level but up 5% from February 1995. Foreign orders of U.S. tools fell to $63.65 million, down 4.24 % from January but up 42.6 % from February 1995.