Factory Orders Fall in October

U.S. factory orders decreased 0.9% in October, the first drop in four months, the Commerce Department said Friday.

The gain followed a revised 3% gain in September.

The decrease was smaller than economists' estimates of a 1.2% decline.

Durable goods orders, which make up just over half of all orders, dropped 3.4%, while non-durables orders such as oil and food grew 1.5%.

The trucking industry relies on factory orders and shipments for much of its business.