Durable Goods Order Rose 0.7% in March for 3rd Consecutive Rise

Washington, DC, April 27, 2017—New orders for manufactured durable goods in March increased $1.6 billion or 0.7% to $238.7 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.

This increase, up three consecutive months, followed a 2.3% February increase. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 0.2%. Excluding defense, new orders increased 0.1%. Transportation equipment, also up three consecutive months, drove the increase, $2.0 billion or 2.4% to $83.3 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in March, up four of the last five months, increased $0.6 billion or 0.2% to $239.8 billion. This followed a 0.2% February increase. Transportation equipment, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led the increase, $0.4 billion or 0.5% to $81.7 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in March, up two consecutive months, increased $2.5 billion or 0.2% to $1,119.0 billion. This followed a 0.1% February increase. Transportation equipment, also up two consecutive months, led the increase, $1.6 billion or 0.2% to $755.5 billion.