Orders for Durable Goods Up 3.4% in April

Washington, DC, May 26, 2016—New orders for manufactured durable goods in April increased $7.7 billion or 3.4% to $235.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.

This increase, up three of the last four months, followed a 1.9% March increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.4%. Excluding defense, new orders increased 3.7%.

Transportation equipment, also up three of the last four months, led the increase, $7.1 billion or 8.9% to $87.1 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in April, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $1.5 billion or 0.6% to $232.5 billion. This followed a 0.8% March decrease.

Transportation equipment, also up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led the increase, $1.0 billion or 1.3% to $80.9 billion.