Orders for Durable Goods Rose 15.8% in May

Washington, DC, June 25, 2020-New orders for manufactured durable goods in May increased $26.6 billion or 15.8% to $194.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.

This increase, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, followed an 18.1% April decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 4.0%. Excluding defense, new orders increased 15.5%. Transportation equipment, also up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led the increase, $20.9 billion or 80.7% to $46.9 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in May, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $8.4 billion or 4.4% to $198.5 billion. This followed an 18.6% April decrease. Transportation equipment, also up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led the increase, $5.0 billion or 12.1% to $46.5 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in May, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $0.8 billion or 0.1% to $1,108.6 billion. This followed a 1.5% April decrease. Transportation equipment, also up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led the increase, $0.3 billion or virtually unchanged to $760.0 billion.