Orders for Durable Goods Inched Down in July

Washington, DC, August 25, 2021--New orders for manufactured durable goods in July decreased $0.4 billion or 0.1% to $257.2 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced. This decrease, down following two consecutive monthly increases, followed a 0.8% June increase.

Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.7%. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 1.2%. Transportation equipment, also down following two consecutive monthly increases, drove the decrease, $1.7 billion or 2.2% to $75.3 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in July, up four of the last five months, increased $5.6 billion or 2.2% to $257.8 billion. This followed a 1.6% June increase. Transportation equipment, up two consecutive months, led the increase, $3.4 billion or 4.6% to $75.9 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in July, up six consecutive months, increased $3.9 billion or 0.3% to $1,225.4 billion. This followed a 0.8% June increase. Machinery, up sixteen consecutive months, led the increase, $2.3 billion or 2.1% to $109.2 billion.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in July, up six consecutive months, increased $2.7 billion or 0.6% to $453.6 billion. This followed a 0.9% June increase. Primary metals, up twelve consecutive months, led the increase, $0.8 billion or 1.9% to $40.0 billion.