Orders for Manufactured Goods Rose 1.4% in February

Washington, DC, March 26, 2024-New orders for manufactured durable goods in February, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $3.7 billion or 1.4% to $277.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced. This followed a 6.9% January decrease.

Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.5%. Excluding defense, new orders increased 2.2%. Transportation equipment, also up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led the increase, $2.9 billion or 3.3% to $90.4 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in February, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $3.5 billion or 1.2% to $282.7 billion. This followed a 0.8% January decrease. Transportation equipment, also up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led the increase, $3.4 billion or 4.0% to $89.8 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in February, up eleven of the last twelve months, increased $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $1,392.9 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged January decrease. Transportation equipment, up fourteen of the last fifteen months, drove the increase, $0.6 billion or 0.1% to $898.1 billion.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in February, up seven consecutive months, increased $1.7 billion or 0.3% to $528.7 billion. This followed a 0.1% January increase. Transportation equipment, also up seven consecutive months, led the increase, $1.2 billion or 0.7% to $170.2 billion.