Durable Goods Orders Decreased 17.2% in April

Washington, DC, May 28, 2020-New orders for manufactured durable goods in April decreased $35.4 billion or 17.2% to $170.0 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced. This decrease, down three of the last four months, followed a 16.6% March decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 7.4%. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 16.2%. Transportation equipment, also down three of the last four months, led the decrease, $23.9 billion or 47.3% to $26.6 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in April, down three of the last four months, decreased $41.5 billion or 17.7% to $192.3 billion. This followed a 5.5 percent March decrease. Transportation equipment, also down three of the last four months, led the decrease, $31.4 billion or 42.7% to $42.1 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in April, down two consecutive months, decreased $17.5 billion or 1.6% to $1,107.8 billion. This followed a 2.1% March decrease. Transportation equipment, also down two consecutive months, led the decrease, $15.5 billion or 2.0% to $759.9 billion.