Durable Goods Orders Rise by Most in Four Months

Durable goods orders rose by the most in four months in November, Commerce Department reported.

The 3.8% increase followed a revised no change in October that had originally been reported as a 0.7% decline.

Economists had expected a 2.2% gain in November, Bloomberg reported.

Excluding volatile transportation orders, bookings for goods meant to last several years rose 0.3%, following a 1.5% gain, Commerce said.

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