Durable Goods Orders Rose 2.9% in December

Washington, DC, January 26, 2018-New orders for manufactured durable goods in December increased $7.0 billion or 2.9% to $249.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.

This increase, up four of the last five months, followed a 1.7% November increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.6%. Excluding defense, new orders increased 2.2%. Transportation equipment, also up four of the last five months, led the increase, $6.0 billion or 7.4% to $87.2 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in December, up seven of the last eight months, increased $1.5 billion or 0.6% to $246.8 billion. This followed a 1.3% November increase. Fabricated metal products, also up seven of the last eight months, led the increase, $0.5 billion or 1.5% to $33.5 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in December, up four consecutive months, increased $6.9 billion or 0.6% to $1,144.1 billion. This followed a 0.1% November increase. Transportation equipment, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led the increase, $6.0 billion or 0.8% to $775.9 billion.