Durable Orders Edge Up in April

Durable goods orders rose 0.2% in April following a revised 3.7% drop the previous month, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

The April increase matched economists’ expectations, Bloomberg reported.

Excluding volatile transportation orders, bookings for goods meant to last several years decreased 0.6%, Commerce said.

Defense bookings dropped 22%, Bloomberg 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.