Orders for Durable Goods Slid 0.5% in October

Washington, DC, November 24, 2021-New orders for manufactured durable goods in October decreased $1.2 billion or 0.5% to $260.1 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.

This decrease, down two consecutive months, followed a 0.4% September decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.5%. Excluding defense, new orders increased 0.8%. Transportation equipment, down three of the last four months, drove the decrease, 2.0 billion or 2.6% to $75.3 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in October, up five of the last six months, increased $4.0 billion or 1.5% to $261.5 billion. This followed a 0.6% September increase. Transportation equipment, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led the increase, $2.3 billion or 3.2% to $75.3 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in October, up nine consecutive months, increased $3.1 billion or 0.2% to $1,249.7 billion. This followed a 0.7% September increase. Machinery, up nineteen consecutive months, led the increase, $1.4 billion or 1.2% to $113.7 billion.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in October, up nine consecutive months, increased $2.8 billion or 0.6% to $466.0 billion. This followed a 1.0% September increase. Fabricated metal products, up thirteen consecutive months, led the increase, $0.9 billion or 1.4% to $61.0 billion.