Stocks mixed on glimpse of manufacturing

Associated Press - Stocks are mixed as investors get a peek into the health of the U.S. manufacturing sector.
 
   U.S. companies placed more orders for long-lasting manufactured goods in December, a good sign for the economy heading into 2013.
 
   Orders for durable goods increased 4.6 percent, the Commerce Department said Monday, driven by a 10 percent gain in aircraft orders.
 
   Also on Monday, Caterpillar beat Wall Street expectations when a new purchase in China is discounted.
 
   Shares of the manufacturer rose 3 percent in morning trading.