Factory Orders Rise in September

Factory orders rose 4.8% in September, the most since March 2011, the Commerce Department said Friday.

The increase followed a revised 5.1% decrease in August, a smaller drop than originally reported.

Economists had forecast a 4.6% rise, Bloomberg reported.

Orders excluding transportation equipment increased 1.4%, while durable goods orders climbed 9.8%.

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