Factory Orders Rise for Sixth Time in Seven Months

U.S. factory orders rose for the sixth time in seven months in October, the Commerce Department said Friday.

The 0.6% increase followed a revised 1.6% gain in September that was higher than originally reported.

Economists had predicted forecast orders to be unchanged from the previous month, Bloomberg reported.

Bookings excluding transportation orders, which tend to be volatile, rose 0.5%, the fifth gain in six months.

Durable goods orders, which make up just over half of all orders, fell 0.6%, while non-durables orders such as oil and food, rose 1.6%

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