Factory Orders Rise for Second Straight Month

Factory orders rose 1.1%, the second straight increase, the Commerce Department reported.

The gain followed a revised 2.2% decline in November that was higher than originally reported.

The increase was higher than economists’ median forecast of a 1.5% increase, Bloomberg reported.

Capital goods orders excluding aircraft and military orders, a measure of future business investment, rose 3.1%.

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