New Home Sales Rise 0.3%

New home sales increased 0.3% in April, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

Sales rose to an annual rate of 352,000 units, from a revised 351,000 in March, Commerce said.

Economists had forecast a 1.1% increase to a 360,000-unit rate, Bloomberg reported.

New home sales fell 34% from last April, Commerce said.

Rising home sales can mean more business for flatbed trucking companies that haul building materials and dry van freight carriers that haul household appliances and furniture.

New home sales account for about 15% of residential real estate sales.