Durable Orders Jump 4% in July

Durable goods orders jumped 4% in July, the largest gain in four months, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

The increase followed a revised 1.3% decline in June, Commerce said.

Economists had expected an increase of 2%, Bloomberg reported.

Excluding volatile transportation orders, bookings for goods meant to last several years increased 0.7%, 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.