Orders for Durable Goods Declined 10% in February

Washington, DC, March 24, 2023-New orders for manufactured durable goods in February, down three of the last four months, decreased $2.6 billion or 1.0% to $268.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced. This followed a 5.0% January decrease.

Excluding transportation, new orders were virtually unchanged. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 0.5%. Transportation equipment, also down three of the last four months, drove the decrease, $2.6 billion or 2.8% to $89.4 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in February, down two consecutive months, decreased $1.5 billion or 0.6% to $274.8 billion. This followed a 0.4% January decrease. Transportation equipment, also down two consecutive months, led the decrease, $1.3 billion or 1.4% to $90.1 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in February, down two consecutive months, decreased $1.2 billion or 0.1% to $1,155.4 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged January decrease. Transportation equipment, down following twenty-one consecutive monthly increases, led the decrease, $0.7 billion or 0.1% to $683.8 billion.