Durable Goods Orders Fall in March

Durable goods orders fell 0.3% in March, though bookings excluding transportation orders increased, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

The downturn followed a revised 2.1% decline in February that was a bigger drop than was originally reported.

Excluding transportation orders, March bookings rose 1.5%, Commerce said.

Economists had forecast orders to fall 0.5% excluding transportation orders, Bloomberg reported.

Durable goods are those meant to last for several years, including large items like refrigerators and air conditioners. Trucking is a major beneficiary of durable goods manufacturing, hauling both components and finished goods.