Factory Orders Rise 0.6% in Third Straight Gain

Factory orders jumped 0.6% in May, the third straight increase, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

The gain followed a revised 1.3% increase in April that was less than originally reported. Excluding transportation orders, bookings rose 0.4%, Commerce said.

Economists had forecast a 0.5% increase, Bloomberg reported.

Durable goods orders, which make up about half of factory orders, were unchanged.
 
The trucking industry relies on factory orders and shipments for much of its business.