Durable Goods Orders Declined 4.5% in May

Washington, DC, June 25, 2026—New orders for manufactured durable goods in May, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $15.6 billion or 4.5% to $332.1 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced. This followed an 8.5% April increase. 

Excluding transportation, new orders increased 1.3%. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 4.6%. Transportation equipment, also down following two consecutive monthly increases, drove the decrease, $18.5 billion or 14.0% to $113.5 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in May, up eight of the last nine months, increased $3.2 billion or 1.0% to $327.9 billion. This followed a 0.7% April increase. Transportation equipment, up seven of the last eight months, led the increase, $1.5 billion or 1.4% to $109.5 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in May, up twenty-two of the last twenty-three months, increased $9.2 billion or 0.6% to $1,579.5 billion. This followed a 1.8% April increase. Transportation equipment, up nine of the last ten months, led the increase, $4.0 billion or 0.4% to $997.8 billion.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in May, up eight consecutive months, increased $0.9 billion or 0.2% to $600.0 billion. This followed a 0.3% April increase. Primary metals, up fifteen consecutive months, led the increase, $0.6 billion or 1.3% to $50.9 billion.