Durables Gain, Excluding Transportation Orders

Durable goods orders fell for the first time in six months but rose 0.9% excluding transportation orders, marking the third such gain in four months, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

The increase excluding transport orders was about in line with economists forecasts Bloomberg reported.

The overall decline of 1.1% was largely due to commercial aircraft orders, which fell 30%, Bloomberg said. Demand for computers and related products and machinery improved.

Durable goods include large items such as refrigerators and air conditioners. Trucking is a major beneficiary of durable goods manufacturing, hauling both components and finished goods.