Durables Orders Rise 3.4%

Durable goods orders rose 3.4% in March, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

The increase followed a 2.4% gain in February. Orders excluding transportation equipment rose 1.5% following a 0.4% drop.

Economists had predicted a 2.5% increase in overall orders and a 1.1% gain excluding transport orders, Bloomberg reported.
 
Trucking is a major beneficiary of durable goods manufacturing, hauling both components and finished goods.