Durable goods orders rose 3.4% in February, the biggest gain in more than a year and the first in seven months, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.
The increase contrasted with economists’ forecasts of a 2.5% downturn and followed a revised 7.3% drop in January that was bigger than originally reported.
Excluding transportation orders, bookings for goods meant to last several years rose 3.9%, Commerce said.
Durable goods include large items such as refrigerators and air conditioners. Trucking is a major beneficiary of durable goods manufacturing, hauling both components and finished goods.
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