Factory Orders Increase in September

U.S. factory orders grew 2.1% in September, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

The gain followed a revised 0.5% fall in August.

The increase was that largest since January, and higher than economists’ forecasts of 1.6%, Bloomberg reported.

Durable goods orders, which make up just over half of all orders, rose 3.5%, while non-durables orders such as oil and food grew 0.9%.

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