Business and Finance
DURABLE GOODS ORDERS rose a strong 4.9% in September, the biggest increase in almost two years. Consumer prices were up a moderate 0.3% during the month, while consumer spending gained a robust 1.6%. The orders report cheered analysts, who have been looking for signs of a recovery by manufacturers.</br></br>The dollar staged its biggest rally in weeks, helped by heavy buying by Japanese investors. The currency's surge helped spark gains in stock and bond prices. The Dow Jones industrials rose 26.58, to 1834.93.</br></br>---</br></br>U.S. firms that withdraw from South Africa still face political pressure if they continue to sell products there. The latest U.S. exodus, meanwhile, has many South Africans worried about the economic impact.</br></br>---