Durable goods orders rose for a third straight month in April, gaining 0.6%, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

The increase followed a 5% gain in March that was bigger than originally reported. Orders excluding transportation equipment rose 1.5% for a second straight month.

Economists had predicted a 1% increase in overall orders and a 0.6% gain excluding transport orders, Bloomberg reported.

Trucking is a major beneficiary of durable goods manufacturing, hauling both components and finished goods.