Factory Orders Rise for Fifth Time in Six Months

U.S. factory orders rose 0.9% in September for the fifth gain in six months, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.

The increase followed a revised 0.8% decline in August. Bookings excluding transportation orders, which tend to be volatile, rose 0.8% following a 0.3% increase in August.

Economists had forecast factory orders would rise 0.8%, Bloomberg reported.

Durable goods orders, which make up slightly more than half of orders, rose 1.4% following a 2.7% drop.

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