Orders for Durable Goods Fell 4.4% in October

Washington, DC, November 21, 2018-New orders for manufactured durable goods in October decreased $11.5 billion or 4.4% to $248.5 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.

This decrease, down three of the last four months, followed a 0.1% September decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.1%. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 1.2%. Transportation equipment, down following two consecutive monthly increases, drove the decrease, $11.7 billion or 12.2% to $84.7 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in October, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $1.4 billion or 0.6% to $254.5 billion. This followed a 1.0% September increase. Transportation equipment, also down following two consecutive monthly increases, drove the decrease, $1.6 billion or 1.8% to $87.6 billion.