Dollar slides to new low against euro

Business Roundup By The Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) — The U.S. dollar slid to a new low Wednesday against the euro, which rose to an all-time high of $1.3179 in late New York trading, breaking a day-old record as jittery markets kept up pressure on the U.S. currency.

The recent rally has taken the euro from $1.20 about two months ago, driven by concerns over the U.S. trade and budget deficits, which sent it above the $1.31 mark for the first time when it hit $1.3105 on Tuesday. The euro fell as low as 86 cents in February 2002 after debuting at $1.18 on Jan. 1, 1999.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s factories saw orders for big-ticket goods drop in October after brisk activity the previous month, highlighting the sometimes bumpy recovery of the nation’s manufacturers.

The Commerce Department reported Wednesday that orders for durable goods — costly manufactured products expected to last at least three years — decreased by 0.4 percent in October from September.