Durable Goods Orders Rose 2.3% in May

Washington, DC, June 24, 2021-- New orders for manufactured durable goods in May increased $5.7 billion or 2.3% to $253.3 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.

This increase, up twelve of the last thirteen months, followed a 0.8% April decrease.

Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.3%. Excluding defense, new orders increased 1.7%. Transportation equipment, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led the increase, $5.2 billion or 7.6% to $74.2 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in May, up two of the last three months, increased $1.0 billion or 0.4% to $248.3 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged April decrease. Machinery, up seven of the last eight months, led the increase, $0.4 billion or 1.1% to $35.1 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in May, up four consecutive months, increased $9.5 billion or 0.8% to $1,209.3 billion. This followed a 0.4% April increase. Transportation equipment, up three of the last four months, led the increase, $3.1 billion or 0.4% to $806.2 billion.