Orders for Manufactured Goods Fell 2.1% in April

Washington, DC, May 24, 2019-New orders for manufactured durable goods in April decreased $5.4 billion or 2.1% to $248.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.

This decrease, down two of the last three months, followed a 1.7% March increase. Excluding transportation, new orders were virtually unchanged. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 2.5%. Transportation equipment, also down two of the last three months, drove the decrease, $5.4 billion or 5.9% to $85.4 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in April, down three of the last four months, decreased $4.0 billion or 1.6% to $253.3 billion. This followed a 0.5% March decrease. Transportation equipment, down four consecutive months, led the decrease, $3.7 billion or 4.1% to $85.8 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in April, down two of the last three months, decreased $0.7 billion or 0.1% to $1,179.1 billion. This followed a 0.1% March increase. Transportation equipment, also down two of the last three months, led the decrease, $0.4 billion or 0.1% to $810.6 billion.