Orders for big-ticket durable goods made in the United States rose 1.9 percent in April, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. The increase in orders for these products -- manufactured products intended to last three or more years -- is the largest gain since December 2007 and the second in the past three months; industry analysts surveyed by major news organizations had predicted an average increase of only 0.4 percent. At the same time, Commerce revised the March durable goods figure to a 2.1 percent decrease. The April numbers were boosted by increases in communications equipment, machinery, and fabricated metal products; civilian aircraft and parts were down by more than 6 percent after a 7.5 percent gain in March. Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods were down 1.2 percent in April, and inventories were down 0.8 percent. Commerce will release revised and more detailed figures for April on June 3.