WASHINGTON - Factory orders increased 2.1% at a seasonally adjusted rate in September, the largest increase since January, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday.
Orders excluding transportation increased 0.4%, up for the second straight month.
Economists expected orders to increase 1.6% for the month, according to the median estimate from Thomson Reuters.
Total orders for August were revised to unchanged from the initially reported decrease of 0.5%. Orders excluding transportation were revised higher to a gain of 1.3% from the 0.9% rise initially reported.
September transportation equipment orders increased 15.8%, also the largest increase since January. Motor vehicle and parts orders slipped 1.3%.
Nondefense capital goods orders increased 9.1%, the largest gain since in 14 months.
