New orders for manufactured durable goods in March decreased $1.3 billion or 0.8 percent to $161.2 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced in its advance report. This was the seventh decrease in the last eight months and followed a 2.1 percent February increase. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 0.6 percent. Excluding defense, new orders also decreased 0.6 percent.
 
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in March, down eight consecutive months, decreased $3.0 billion or 1.7 percent to $175.0 billion. This followed a 0.8 percent February decrease.
 
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in March, down six consecutive months, decreased $11.2 billion or 1.4 percent to $760.3 billion. This followed a 1.6 percent February decrease.
 
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in March, down three consecutive months, decreased $3.7 billion or 1.1 percent to $331.6 billion. This followed a 1.3 percent February decrease.
 
Capital Goods Industries
Nondefense new orders for capital goods in March increased $1.0 billion or 1.9 percent to $52.0 billion.
 
Defense new orders for capital goods in March decreased $1.4 billion or 14.4 percent to $8.6 billion.