WASHINGTON — Evidence that the economic rebound remains sluggish emerged from reports today on new claims for unemployment aid and orders to U.S. factories.

Scant job creation is restraining consumer spending and holding back economic growth. And factory orders for durable goods, a barometer of the manufacturing industry, are rising too slightly to provide much fuel to the rebound.

The number of people claiming jobless aid fell last week, but less than expected. And orders for big-ticket manufactured goods rose only slightly.

The reports follow President Barack Obama's State of the Union address Wednesday night, which focused on the economy and jobs. Obama called on Congress to enact a second stimulus package, urging that it contain help for small businesses and funding for infrastructure projects.

Also on Wednesday, the Federal Reserve kept the short-term interest rate it controls at a record-low level of nearly zero and pledged to keep it there for "an extended period."