Orders for Manufactured Goods Fell 3.7% in January

Washington, DC, February 27, 2018-New orders for manufactured durable goods in January decreased $9.2 billion or 3.7% to $239.7 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.

This decrease, down following two consecutive monthly increases, followed a 2.6% December increase. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 0.3%. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 2.7%. Transportation equipment, also down following two consecutive monthly increases, led the decrease, $8.6 billion or 10.0% to $77.7 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in January, up eight of the last nine months, increased $0.6 billion or 0.2% to $247.0 billion. This followed a 0.5% December increase. Transportation equipment, up two of the last three months, led the increase, $0.4 billion or 0.5% to $81.3 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in January, down following four consecutive monthly increases, decreased $3.1 billion or 0.3% to $1,140.9 billion. This followed a 0.6% December increase. Transportation equipment, down three of the last four months, drove the decrease, $3.6 billion or 0.5% to $771.8 billion.