Factory orders drop 1.5% - biggest fall in 1 1/2 years

WASHINGTON (AP) Orders to U.S. factories fell 1.4 percent inFebruary, the largest decline in 1 1/2 years, the government reportedyesterday.

The Commerce Department said orders totaled a seasonallyadjusted $198.6 billion in February, down from $201.4 billion inJanuary.

The decline followed three consecutive increases and was thelargest drop since a 1.6 percent drop in September, 1984.

The decline was blamed largely on a 30 percent drop in ordersfor defense equipment and to a 10 percent …