Orders for Durable Goods Declined 6.1% in January

Washington, DC, February 27, 2024-New orders for manufactured durable goods in January, down three of the last four months, decreased $18.0 billion or 6.1% to $276.7 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced. This followed a 0.3% December decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 0.3%. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 7.3%. Transportation equipment, also down three of the last four months, led the decrease, $17.4 billion or 16.2% to $89.8 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in January, down four of the last five months, decreased $2.4 billion or 0.9% to $279.0 billion. This followed a 0.6% December decrease. Transportation equipment, also down four of the last five months, drove the decrease, $2.9 billion or 3.3% to $86.3 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in January, up thirteen of the last fourteen months, increased $2.4 billion or 0.2% to $1,395.5 billion. This followed a 1.3% December increase. Transportation equipment, also up thirteen of the last fourteen months, drove the increase, $3.5 billion or 0.4% to $899.8 billion.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in January, up six consecutive months, increased $1.2 billion or 0.2% to $527.6 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent December increase. Transportation equipment, also up six consecutive months, drove the increase, $1.3 billion or 0.8% to $169.0 billion.