Orders to US factories rose 0.2 pct in September as an unexpected jump in demand for non-durable goods overwhelmed a drop in durable goods orders, the Commerce Department reported today. There was a 2.1 pct increase in new orders for non-durables, while analysts had been looking for an increase in the 1 pct range. Non-durable goods orders are not broken down by category, but economists had warned the number could be inflated by higher prices for oil and other commodities. Durable goods orders were down 1.7 pct in September, unrevised from the original report last week. Based on that, forecasters were expecting a 0.4 pct decline in total factory orders. A 33.9 pct drop in defense orders was the principal cause of the big fall in durables orders, but vehicle orders were also down 1.1 pct. Since that big defense negative number also shows up in the transportation category, new orders excluding transportation were up 1.4 pct for September. Taking out the two big swing factors of aircraft and non-durables, manufacturers' September order book indicated continued strength in business capital spending. Orders for core capital goods--non-defense excluding aircraft--rose 0.5 pct,, indicating continuing strength in business capital investment. Total inventories were up 0.6 pct in September. Manufacturers in the ISM Survey released Thursday reported increasing concern about inventory accumulation.