Orders for Durable Goods Fell 1.7% in April

Washington, DC, May 25, 2018-New orders for manufactured durable goods in April decreased $4.2 billion or 1.7% to $248.5 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.

This decrease, down following two consecutive monthly increases, followed a 2.7% March increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.9%. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 1.9%. Transportation equipment, also down following two consecutive monthly increases, drove the decrease, $5.6 billion or 6.1% to $87.1 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in April, down following eight consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.1 billion or 0.1% to $246.7 billion. This followed a 0.7% March increase. Transportation equipment, down following three consecutive monthly increases, drove the decrease, $1.8 billion or 2.1% to $82.8 billion.