Factory Orders Improve for Seventh Time in Eight Months

November factory orders rose 1.1%, marking the seventh gain in eight months, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.

The increase was more than twice economists’ forecasts of a 0.5% gain, Bloomberg reported.

Bookings excluding transportation orders, which tend to be volatile, jumped 1.9%, the biggest gain since June.

Durable goods orders, which make up just over half of all orders, rose 0.2%, while non-durables orders such as oil and food rose 1.8%

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