WASHINGTON, Aug 2 Reuters New orders for U.S.manufactured goods fell more than expected in June, but business spending on equipment was solid as was initially estimated, government data showed on Friday.

Factory orders dropped 3.3 after slipping 0.5 in May, the Commerce Department39;s Census Bureau said. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast factory orders falling 2.9.

The government also reported that orders for nondefense capital goods excluding aircraft, which are seen as a measure of business spending plans on equipment increased 0.9 in June, slightly revised down from the 1.0 reported last month.

Nondefense capital goods orders plunged 22.5, instead of 22.4, as initially estimated.

Reporting By Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama

Source Reuters