Orders for Durable Goods Fell in April

Washington, DC, May 25, 2011--New orders for manufactured durable goods decreased by 3.6% or $7.1 billion in April, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.

Excluding transportation, new orders decreased by 1.5%.

Economists had anticipated a fall, due to a lessening in demand for aircraft and disruptions in supplies of auto parts stemming from the earthquake in Japan.

New orders have been down two of the last three months; March had a 4.4% increase in durable goods orders.