AlQa'dah 11, 1436, Aug 26, 2015, SPA -- U.S. durable-goods orders rose solidly in July, while demand in a key category that measures business investment plans posted its largest increase in more than a year, the government said in a report Wednesday that highlighted the resilience of the economic recovery despite a slowing global economy. The Commerce Department reported that orders for durable goods - expensive manufactured items expected to last at least three years - increased 2 percent in July, following a 4.1 percent gain the previous month. The gain in July durable-goods orders was largely due to a 4.7 percent increase in transportation equipment. Demand for automobiles and parts rose 4 percent, more than offsetting a 6 percent decline in aircraft orders. Orders for machinery rose by 1.5 percent in July, and demand for communications equipment increased 1.8 percent. Orders fell for computers and primary metals. Non-defense capital goods orders excluding aircraft - a closely watched measure of business spending plans - increased 2.2 percent last month, following a 1.4 percent advance in June. It was the largest advance in 13 months. The category had fallen in four of the previous five months, reflecting some weakness in the manufacturing sector earlier this year.