Washington, DC, September 28, 2005--Orders for durable goods increased 3.3% in August, according to a Commerce Department report.
Economists had forecast an increase of 0.9%. Durable orders in July were revised to a 5.3% decrease from the decline previous estimate of 4.9%.
Shipments of durable goods were up 1.7% in August after a 0.7% fall in July. Orders for core capital goods equipment rose 4.3% in August after falling 7.1% in the previous month.
Orders excluding more volatile transportation surged 4.2%, the biggest rise since March 2004.
Demand for non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft rose 3.6% in August after a 3.3 decline in July.
Orders of durable goods rose across all major categories.
Primary metals orders climbed 9.2%, the biggest surge since October 2003. Machinery orders gained 3.5% after a 7.1% slide the month before. Computers and electronic products orders jumped 5.5%, regaining ground after a 6.5% tumble in July.
Transportation orders rose 1.4% as demand for autos rose 0.8% and civilian aircraft orders -- which had dropped 21.4% in July -- climbed 9.4%. Orders for military aircraft gained 15%.
