U.S. factory orders rose 1.3% in July, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. The improvement followed a revised 2.1% increase in June that was higher than the 1.7% rise originally reported. Economists had forecast a 1% increase, Bloomberg reported. Gains in building supplies helped offset weaker growth in orders for computers and consumer goods, Commerce said. Excluding transportation orders, bookings rose 1%, Commerce said. Durable goods orders, which make up about half of factory orders, gained 1.3%.
 
The trucking industry relies on factory orders and shipments for much of its business.