Factory Orders Drop 0.6% in Second Straight Decline

Factory orders fell 0.6% in April, the second straight monthly decline, the Commerce Department said Monday.

The drop followed a revised 2.1% decline in greater than the 1.5% slide originally reported.

Economists had forecast a 0.2% decline, Bloomberg reported. The downturns were the first back-to-back drops in more than three years

Factory orders excluding transportation equipment rose fell 1.1%, while durable goods bookings were unchanged.

Motor vehicle and parts orders fell 0.5%, following a 2% gain.

The trucking industry relies on factory orders and shipments for much of its business.