The U.S. Census Bureau shared advanced data for December’s durable goods orders on Feb. 18, which showed a modest final month decline that was driven by a slump in nondefense aircraft and parts, while final year-to-date figures finished considerably higher than 2024.

The topline figure for December’s manufactured durable goods orders decreased 1.4% month-to-month to $319.6 billion, following a 5.4% November increase. Excluding transportation, new orders ticked up 0.9%, and increased 2.5% when excluding defense. Transportation drove the overall decrease with a 5.3% slide to $113.5 billion.

December shipments of durable goods increased 1.0% month-to-month to $311.5 billion, following a 0.3% November decrease. Transportation led the increase with a 1.5% gain to $102.4 billion.

December’s unfilled orders for durable goods increased 0.9% month-to-month to $1.527 trillion, following a 1.4% November increase. Transportation led the increase with a 1.2% gain to $960.6 billion.

December’s inventories for durable goods increased 0.2% month-to-month to $593.2 billion, following a 0.2% November increase. Machinery led the increase with a 0.4% gain to $104.1 billion.

Nondefense capital goods excluding aircraft — also known as core capital goods — rose by 0.6% during December following an upwardly revised 0.7% November increase.

Full Year 2025

For all of 2025, U.S. durable goods new orders increased by 7.8% vs. 2024, while shipments increased 3.7%. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 2.8% and shipments increased 2.4%. Excluding defense, new orders jumped 7.4% and shipments increased 3.3%.

2025’s full year new durable goods orders by product category were as follows:

• Primary metals: +11.1%
• Fabricated metal products: +2.5%
• Machinery: +5.0%
• Computers & electronics: +4.2%
  • Computers & related products: +13.7%
  • Communications equipment: +9.1%
• Electrical equipment, appliances & components: +5.1%
• Transportation equipment: +18.2%
  • Motor vehicles & parts: +1.4%
  • Nondefense aircraft & parts: +106.2%
  • Defense aircraft & parts: +20.1%
• All other durable goods: 0.0%
• Capital goods: +18.4%
  • Nondefense capital goods: +19.3%
    • Excluding aircraft: +3.5%
  • Defense capital goods: +13.2%