New orders for manufactured durable goods in March decreased $13.1 billion or 5.7 percent to $216.3 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s advance report. This decrease, down two of the last three months, followed a 4.3 percent February increase.
Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 1.4 percent. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 4.7 percent. Transportation equipment, also down two of the last three months, led the decrease, down $11 billion or 15 percent to $62.4 billion. This was led by nondefense aircraft and parts, which decreased $8.5 billion.
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in March, up six of the last seven months, increased $1 billion or 0.4 percent to $230 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first published on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.7 percent February increase.
Transportation equipment, up four of the last five months, drove the increase, $1.4 billion or 2.1 percent to $67.6 billion. This followed a 1.7 percent February increase.
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in March, down two of the last three months, decreased $6.4 billion or 0.6 percent to $991.2 billion. This decrease followed a 0.7 percent February increase. Transportation equipment, also down two of the last three months, led the decrease, $5.2 billion or 0.9 percent.
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in March, up seventeen of the last eighteen months, increased $0.3 billion or 0.1 percent to $377.2 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first published on a NAICS basis and followed a 0.4 percent February increase. Computers and electronic products, up four of the last five months, drove the increase, up by $0.4 billion or 0.8 percent.
Nondefense new orders for capital goods in March decreased $8.3 billion or 10.6 percent to $70.2 billion. Shipments increased $1.5 billion or 2.1 percent to $71.8 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $1.5 billion or 0.3 percent to $593.7 billion. Inventories increased $0.6 billion or 0.4 percent to $176.1 billion.
Defense new orders for capital goods in March decreased $2.5 billion or 33.2 percent to $5.0 billion. Shipments increased 0.1 percent to $8.4 billion. Unfilled orders decreased 2 percent to $163.6 billion. Inventories decreased 1.5 percent to $22 billion.
Download the pdf below for more details.