Orders for Durable Goods Rose 0.4% in April

Washington, DC, May 25, 2022-New orders for manufactured durable goods in April increased $1.2 billion or 0.4% to $265.3 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced. This increase, up six of the last seven months, followed a 0.6% March increase.

Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.3%. Excluding defense, new orders increased 0.3%. Transportation equipment, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led the increase, $0.6 billion or 0.6% to $86.7 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in April, up eleven of the last twelve months, increased $0.3 billion or 0.1% to $264.3 billion. This followed a 1.4% March increase. Primary metals, up four of the last five months, led the increase, $0.2 billion or 0.9% to $20.9 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in April, up twenty consecutive months, increased $5.9 billion or 0.5% to $1,106.7 billion. This followed a 0.5% March increase. Transportation equipment, up fourteen of the last fifteen months, led the increase, $4.2 billion or 0.7% to $637.2 billion.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in April, up fifteen consecutive months, increased $3.6 billion or 0.8% to $479.4 billion. This followed a 0.9% March increase. Transportation equipment, up five of the last six months, led the increase, $1.1 billion or 0.7% to $157.0 billion.