Orders for Durable Goods Fell 1.2% in October

Washington, DC, November 22, 2017-New orders for manufactured durable goods in October decreased $2.8 billion or 1.2% to $236.0 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau has announced.

This decrease, down following two consecutive monthly increases, followed a 2.2% September increase.

Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.4%. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 0.8%. Transportation equipment, also down following two consecutive monthly increases, drove the decrease, $3.5 billion or 4.3% to $77.1 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in October, up five of the last six months, increased $0.3 billion or 0.1% to $241.0 billion. This followed a 1.0% September increase. Primary metals, up three of the last four months, led the increase, $0.3 billion or 1.5% to $19.9 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in October, down three of the last four months, decreased $0.5 billion or virtually unchanged to $1,134.6 billion. This followed a 0.2% September increase.