WASHINGTON — US factories received more orders for long-lasting manufactured goods in May, rebounding after two weak months. But the trend in orders has slowed this year, adding to worries that the US economy has weakened.

The Commerce Department said Wednesday that orders for durable goods rose 1.1 percent in May, after two months of declines.

And so-called core capital goods, which signal business investment plans, increased 1.6 percent. That also followed two months of declines, which raised concerns that businesses were losing confidence in the economy.

Durable goods are items that are expected to last at least three years. Orders can be volatile from month to month.

‘‘All in, the improvement in May is, again, a relief,’’ said Jennifer Lee, a senior economist at BMO Capital Markets. ‘‘However . . . continued uncertainty over Europe’s debt crisis and the fiscal problems in the US are still hurting business and consumer confidence.”

In May, orders rose to $217.2 billion, 46 percent above the recession low, hit in April 2009.