Orders for Manufactured Goods Fell 1.7% in July

Washington, DC, August 24, 2018-New orders for manufactured durable goods in July decreased $4.3 billion or 1.7% to $246.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.

This decrease, down three of the last four months, followed a 0.7% June increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.2%. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 1.0%. Transportation equipment, also down three of the last four months, drove the decrease, $4.6 billion or 5.3% to $82.8 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in July, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.5 billion or 0.2% to $250.8 billion. This followed a 1.6% June increase. Transportation equipment, down three of the last four months, drove the decrease, $1.6 billion or 1.9% to $83.9 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in July, up eight of the last nine months, increased $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $1,164.7 billion. This followed a 0.3% June increase. Computers and electronic products, up five consecutive months, drove the increase, $0.3 billion or 0.3% to $115.3 billion.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in July, up eighteen of the last nineteen months, increased $5.0 billion or 1.3% to $408.3 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged June decrease. Transportation equipment, up three of the last four months, led the increase, $4.4 billion or 3.5% to $131.3 billion.

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in July decreased $3.6 billion or 4.6% to $74.7 billion. Shipments decreased $3.3 billion or 4.2% to $74.9 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $0.2 billion or virtually unchanged to $714.0 billion. Inventories increased $3.8 billion or 2.2% to $178.6 billion. Defense new orders for capital goods in July decreased $0.9 billion or 8.0% to $10.8 billion. Shipments decreased $0.1 billion or 0.7% to $11.4 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $0.5 billion or 0.4% to $147.0 billion. Inventories increased less than $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $22.9 billion.