US orders for costly manufactured goods dropped unexpectedly in November because of weaker demand for computer components and communications equipment, the Commerce Department said yesterday in Washington. New orders for all types of durable goods fell 1.6 per cent in November to a seasonally adjusted $171.8 billion - the first decline in three months and in sharp contrast to Wall Street economists' forecasts for a 0.1 per cent rise in orders.

The decrease in November orders followed a revised 0.5 per cent gain in October and a 4.5 per cent rise in September orders. Previously, the department said October orders had risen only 0.3 per cent.