Durable Goods Orders Rose 2.6% in March

Washington, DC, April 26, 2018-New orders for manufactured durable goods in March increased $6.4 billion or 2.6% to $254.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.

This increase, up four of the last five months, followed a 3.5% February increase. Excluding transportation, new orders were virtually unchanged. Excluding defense, new orders increased 2.8%. Transportation equipment, also up four of the last five months, drove the increase, $6.4 billion or 7.6% to $91.4 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in March, up ten of the last eleven months, increased $0.7 billion or 0.3% to $250.0 billion. This followed a 0.7% February increase. Transportation equipment, up four of the last five months, drove the increase, $1.5 billion or 1.8% to $83.4 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in March, up six of the last seven months, increased $9.3 billion or 0.8% to $1,154.0 billion. This followed a 0.3% February increase. Transportation equipment, up three of the last four months, led the increase, $8.0 billion or 1.0% to $782.8 billion.