Orders for U.S.-made factory goods rose 2.5% in November, led by a nearly 16% jump in demand for transportation equipment, the U.S. Commerce Department said today.

The rise was slightly higher than the 2.3% gain expected by economists.

October orders, meanwhile, were revised to rise 1.7% after initially estimated to climb 2.2%.

Excluding the 15.8% rise in transportation equipment orders, manufacturing orders were flat in November. Orders for motor vehicle bodies, parts and trailers fell 7.8%.

Orders for durable goods increased 4.4%, unrevised from last week’s estimate.

Inventories rose 0.2%, while total unfilled orders climbed 3%.

The inventory-to-sales ratio held at 1.18 for the third consecutive month.

Orders are up 7.8% in the past year. The data are not adjusted for price changes.

Shipments of factory goods increased 0.2% in November after rising 0.7% in October. Shipments of durable goods were flat.

Shipments of nondurable goods rose 0.4%, despite a 5% decline in petroleum shipments. Shipments of chemicals increased 2.4%.

Total shipments are up 7% in the past year.