Durable Goods Orders Fell in February

Washington, DC, March 24, 2016—New orders for manufactured durable goods in February decreased $6.6 billion or 2.8% to $229.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.

This decrease, down three of the last four months, followed a 4.2% January increase. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 1.0%. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 1.9%.

Transportation equipment, also down three of the last four months, led the decrease, $4.9 billion or 6.2% to $74.2 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in February, down two of the last three months, decreased $2.1 billion or 0.9% to $238.3 billion. This followed a 1.5% January increase.

Transportation equipment, also down two of the last three months, led the decrease, $1.0 billion or 1.2% to $79.0 billion.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in February, down seven of the last eight months, decreased $1.1 billion or 0.3% to $394.3 billion. This followed a 0.2% January decrease.