U.S. monthly manufactured durable goods orders increased $8.9 billion or 2.9% in August from July, according to an advance report form the U.S. Census Bureau.

Released Sept. 25, the report showed that August orders increased to $312.1 billion. This followed a 2.7% decrease in July, preceded by a June decrease of 9.4%. Economists expected orders to decline 0.5%.

“Yet, part of the increase likely reflects higher prices rather than increased volumes, as tariffs on imported goods raise manufacturing costs,” Trading Economics reported.

The August increase was driven by transportation equipment, which increased by 7.9% vs. July. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.4%. Excluding defense, new orders increased 1.9%.

Nondefense capital goods orders up 5.1%.

Shipments of manufactured goods — previously up 8 months straight— decreased 0.2% to $307.5 billion month-over-month. This followed a July increase of 1.6%.

Unfilled orders for durable goods in August— up 13 of the last 14 months — increased $9.6 million to $1.4 8 billion up 0.2% month-over-month. This followed a flat July.

August inventories for durable goods — previously up 10 consecutive months — were flat at $590.8. This followed a 0.3% increase in July.

source: tradingeconomics.com

The Bureau will release its report for September durable goods orders on Oct. 27.

Here is how monthly new orders and shipments of different durable goods product categories in August, seasonally adjusted, according to the Census Bureau’s advance date:

Primary Metals

• Shipments: 0.0%
• New Orders: +0.1%

Fabricated Metal Products

• Shipments: -0.4%
• New Orders: +0.7%

Machinery

• Shipments: -0.3%
• New Orders: +1.3%

Computers and Electronic Products

• Shipments: +0.1%
• New Orders: -0.1%

Electrical Equipment, Appliances and Components

• Shipments: 0%
• New Orders: +0.1%

Transportation Equipment

• Shipments: -0.3%
• New Orders: +7.9%

All Other Durable Goods

• Shipments: +0.1%
• New Orders: +0.1%

Capital Goods

• Shipments: -0.6%
• New Orders: +4.8%