Orders for new furniture from residential manufacturers fell 4 percent in February compared to a year earlier, after having fallen

7 percent in January and 6 percent in December, according to a survey by SmithLeonard Accountants and Consultants.

February orders were higher than those of the month just before, which is a usual seasonal pattern, the survey analysis said.

Shipments of completed orders were 3 percent lower in February than they were a year earlier.

The number of factory employees was down 13 percent in February from the year before, and 2 percent from January. Total payrolls were down 7 percent in February from 2013, but up by 2 percent from January.